...

**BigRichard** · 07-21-2018, 09:41 AM

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?

kccrow · 07-21-2018, 11:32 AM

Control arms are kind of pricey and there's less stress on the upper joint than the lower. I, personally, wouldn't change the upper/control arm unless there is actually wear. They dont' tend to wear anywhere near as fast as the lowers. I'd have them check the control arm bushings as well though just to be sure. If all looks good, do just the lowers and maybe outer tie rod ends.

**SAUTO** · 07-21-2018, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccrow

Control arms are kind of pricey and there's less stress on the upper joint than the lower. I, personally, wouldn't change the upper/control arm unless there is actually wear. They dont' tend to wear anywhere near as fast as the lowers. I'd have them check the control arm bushings as well though just to be sure. If all looks good, do just the lowers and maybe outer tie rod ends.

This post really makes no sense

kccrow · 07-21-2018, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAUTO

This post really makes no sense

Feel free to correct it where I'm wrong, I have no quarrels with that. I'm not an expert, I just know in my experience it's extremely rare for uppers to wear anywhere near as fast as lowers. Of course, this is a POS Ford and I don't drive POS Fords. :P

**SAUTO** · 07-21-2018, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccrow

Feel free to correct it where I'm wrong, I have no quarrels with that. I'm not an expert, I just know in my experience it's extremely rare for uppers to wear anywhere near as fast as lowers. Of course, this is a POS Ford and I don't drive POS Fords. :P

Well I see just as many uppers fail as lowers.

You recommended not changing the uppers because they weren't bad but then recommended replacement of the outer tie rod ends just out of the blue. That really mate no sense to me.

kccrow · 07-22-2018, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAUTO

Well I see just as many uppers fail as lowers.

You recommended not changing the uppers because they weren't bad but then recommended replacement of the outer tie rod ends just out of the blue. That really mate no sense to me.

Now that you and your wife have had your chuckle, I'll explain why it makes sense to me. If it still doesn't make sense to you, I'd love to hear the reasoning to put in my knowledge bank.
So here goes... When the ball joints begin to fail, there is much more vibration. That vibration and movement will be most noticeable at the outer tie rod ends, which are already adept at wearing in close proximity to the lower ball joints. The other factor here is that he's going to need an alignment anyhow, so why not replace the other part that will wear about as quickly right now and get one alignment done? If he doesn't, and they wear out in a few months, he's out another $100+ alignment fee. He did mention the symptom being the wheel jumping around, so it's very possible he has some rod damage already. He also mentioned not really wanting to do this again any time soon. It just seems for the extra $100, it'd be a wise time to do it.

Edit: Also, interesting on the uppers. I can't recall ever having an upper fail under 200,000 miles.

**SAUTO** · 07-21-2018, 12:45 PM

I read my wife your post and her response was the exact same as mine

I'm on the road right now but will explain when I get home.

**SAUTO** · 07-21-2018, 12:47 PM

04 could have a couple different suspensions. Does yours have struts?

Naptown Chief · 07-21-2018, 01:06 PM

Does the truck squeak when going over a bump or particularly rough patch of road? That'd indicate, more often than not, bad bushings. I had a slammed 88 s10 when I was younger and I currently have a lowered STI swapped 04 Forester. I'm pretty harsh on my suspensions. Each component gives you a unique feel and sometimes sound as they go..

**SAUTO** · 07-21-2018, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwwataz

Does the truck squeak when going over a bump or particularly rough patch of road? That'd indicate, more often than not, bad bushings. I had a slammed 88 s10 when I was younger and I currently have a lowered STI swapped 04 Forester. I'm pretty harsh on my suspensions. Each component gives you a unique feel and sometimes sound as they go..

Jesus...

Naptown Chief · 07-21-2018, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAUTO

Jesus...

Dave.

**SAUTO** · 07-21-2018, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwwataz

Dave.

Your post was totally off.

Ball joints will squeal very often. Much more likely than bushings

**Bugeater** · 07-21-2018, 01:29 PM

My Grand Cherokee has been doing that twitchy thing as well when I hit a bump or dip in the road, been wondering what the hell is causing that. Sucks if it is the ball joints/control arms because that's not a repair I'm going to take on myself.

**SAUTO** · 07-21-2018, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

My Grand Cherokee has been doing that twitchy thing as well when I hit a bump or dip in the road, been wondering what the hell is causing that. Sucks if it is the ball joints/control arms because that's not a repair I'm going to take on myself.

Isn't that thing a solid front axle?

**Bugeater** · 07-21-2018, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAUTO

Isn't that thing a solid front axle?

07-21-2018, 09:41 AM	Topic Starter
BigRichard Buddy Christ is a Chiefs fan BigRichard's Avatar Join Date: Nov 2008	Ball Joints and Upper Control Arm 2004 Ford F150 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?
Posts: 10,371

07-21-2018, 11:32 AM	#2
kccrow MVP kccrow's Avatar Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Michigan	Control arms are kind of pricey and there's less stress on the upper joint than the lower. I, personally, wouldn't change the upper/control arm unless there is actually wear. They dont' tend to wear anywhere near as fast as the lowers. I'd have them check the control arm bushings as well though just to be sure. If all looks good, do just the lowers and maybe outer tie rod ends.
Posts: 12,653

07-21-2018, 12:45 PM	#7
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008	I read my wife your post and her response was the exact same as mine I'm on the road right now but will explain when I get home.
Posts: 55,715	1 0

07-21-2018, 12:47 PM	#8
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008	04 could have a couple different suspensions. Does yours have struts?
Posts: 55,715

07-21-2018, 01:06 PM	#9
Naptown Chief Banned Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Annapolis, MD	Does the truck squeak when going over a bump or particularly rough patch of road? That'd indicate, more often than not, bad bushings. I had a slammed 88 s10 when I was younger and I currently have a lowered STI swapped 04 Forester. I'm pretty harsh on my suspensions. Each component gives you a unique feel and sometimes sound as they go..
Posts: 6,583

07-21-2018, 01:29 PM	#13
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Bugeater's Avatar Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate	My Grand Cherokee has been doing that twitchy thing as well when I hit a bump or dip in the road, been wondering what the hell is causing that. Sucks if it is the ball joints/control arms because that's not a repair I'm going to take on myself.
Posts: 70,443