My friend has '00 f150 4x4 told he needs upper ball joint , can we check if it is true and if so how. Second question can we replace the upper unit without taking everything apart, just take off upper arm and reassemble.
Thanks Don

 

if the boot is torn and leaking, or torn and has stopped leaking then yea, the other way is to lift that side up and put one hand at the 12 oclock position and the other at the 6 and wiggle back and forth if there is play in the balljoint youll feel it and thus needing to be replaced. shouldnt need to completely disassemble just pop the balljoint out of the knuckle and the 2 bolt on the control arm

 

With the uppers on these you usually just replace the whole UCA, it's a pretty easy job. Don't forget to get a front end alignment, and if he plans to crank the front t-bars or get keys to lift it, get the camber adj bolt kit to replace the UCA. That way you don't have to replace them later.

 

If I understand you we can just disconnect the upper ball joint without touching to lower one then just unbolt the arm and replace the whole arm? Is this correct?
Don

 

Yes, that's correct.

3 bolts (1 on the ball joint and 2 where it connects to the truck). Should take 30 minutes to swap if you milk it out.

 

I got new upper control arms with ball joints from rock auto for about $28 a piece, pretty good deal and holding up well

 

Goodyear found out my ball joints were almost shot when I got a tuneup for my birthday. They wanted to charge A THOUSAND DOLLARS to switch them out. How ridiculous is that

 

No shock there.

They are in the business to make money. Many people either aren't capable, don't have the knowledge, tools, time or desire to do them and have no problem paying.

This is true with many, many professions.

 

You've got a point but $1000? That's robbery lol

 

$1000 to you might be a lot but to others it's peanuts. My girlfriend and sister have no idea what a ball joint is. A failed ball joint can cause a crash and/or even death. $1000 to potentially save a life isn't bad!

I frequently bill people for twice what their equipment is worth. I have expertize and they trust my opinion and work. It's all relevant.

If I had money to burn, I'd never turn a wrench the rest of my days. That being said, yes...1000 for uppers is a bit steep. Someone is making bank. Another reason why being a 'jack of all, master of none' comes in handy.