Ball Joints and Upper Control Arm 2004 Ford F150

[BigRichard]

I had my truck in the shop a few weeks ago for some unrelated stuff and they told me the lower ball joints were bad on my truck. I suspected something to that effect as I was getting the jumping around in the wheel and driving when I hit a pot hole or bump.

They didn't mention the upper ball joint on the control arm but since I have the entire thing tore apart anyway would you just go ahead and replace it? I have to replace the entire control arm if I do. It doesn't look horrible that I can tell but I ain't the best at diagnosing shit. If I watch some videos though I am great at tearing shit apart and putting back together. I just don't want to have to do this again anytime soon.

What say you?

[Flying High D]

Your talking Newtonian Physics now.

[BigRichard]

Originally Posted by SAUTO

the struts have to be removed to pull the upper control arm bolts.

you just unplug the other end of the sensor from inside the fender well and leave the sensor itself in the hub bearing...

i put an actuator on one of those last thursday in less than 15 minutes

Yeah, I knew I would have to do that but with everything else tore apart that would have been fairly easy to do.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by BigRichard

Yeah, I knew I would have to do that but with everything else tore apart that would have been fairly easy to do.

as long as the lower bolts arent frozen up

[raybec 4]

You might want to replace the Fetzer valve while you're at it.

[BigRichard]

Originally Posted by SAUTO

as long as the lower bolts arent frozen up

I had them off before when I replaced all that and put a leveling kit on it. But that was about 3 years and 30,000 miles ago.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by SAUTO

I would think the vibration and movement would be felt worse by the upper ball joint that's right in line with the lower... and why wouldn't you replace the inner tire rods then? They would be getting the same treatment travelling from the outers.

I was thinking more along the lines of stress relative to the joint. More stress at the lower ball joint and outer tie rod end than at the upper ball joint and inner tie rod end, in addition to the vibration (more pressure + equivalent vibration = more wear?). Maybe this isn't true, but it would seem that way based on location and supports. From a physics point of view, I'm making sense in my own head. That, and there's probably ample reason engineers tend to favor upper ball joints integrated into the control arms rather than making them replaceable like the lowers. Same said about the inner tie rods being a major bitch to change compared to the outers. Either way, you see it daily and I don't (thankfully, backbreaking work you do) and I respect and appreciate your opinion on it.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by kccrow

I was thinking more along the lines of stress relative to the joint. More stress at the lower ball joint and outer tie rod end than at the upper ball joint and inner tie rod end, in addition to the vibration (more pressure + equivalent vibration = more wear?). Maybe this isn't true, but it would seem that way based on location and supports. From a physics point of view, I'm making sense in my own head. That, and there's probably ample reason engineers tend to favor upper ball joints integrated into the control arms rather than making them replaceable like the lowers. Same said about the inner tie rods being a major bitch to change compared to the outers. Either way, you see it daily and I don't (thankfully, backbreaking work you do) and I respect and appreciate your opinion on it.

You have been identified and even though I may be banned, I am posting your picture.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

You have been identified and even though I may be banned, I am posting your picture.

Says one of the dumbest mother****ers on CP.