Pass side lower ball joint loose

[Broncobeginner123]

I brought my bronco in for an alignment and the mech told/showed me that my lower pass ball joint is loose as he\l, and i just replaced all 4 this past may, i rarely off road, anyone else having this problem, or seen it before? They wanted $545.oo to replace that one ball joint, crazy. So i brought it to my mech hes going to work on it on monday.

 

[Yardape]

If you paid someone to do it last time they probably used the cheapest crap they could find and then charged you for expensive ones. When you go to buy them they usually ask if you want the cheapos or what. The good ones are usually double but the last longer than a year.

 

[Roadkill]

They are not too difficult to change yourself if you have access to tools and can follow pretty simple instructions. Even if you have to buy a book, bearing nut socket and pay a machine shop to press the joints in and out for you, it wont cost anywhere near $545. If you decide to tackle it yourself, I can post a link to an excellent walkthrough with photos. (dont have the link righ now, I on my work computer) One thing to watch out for if you have antilock brakes on the front, one of my sensors was a PITA to get out and the writeup was on a vehicle without them. Everything else was right on the money though.

 

[Roadkill]

I found the link. Google is a wonderful thing!

http://ford.off-road.com/ford/article/arti...l.jsp?id=198389

If you read through, you will see that it not a difficult job. Also, some part stores will rent you the ball joint press or a machine shop will do it for you for a small fee. Just dont give in to the temptation to use the "BFH".

Hope this saves you some money.

 

[Shadow_D]

All in all it is relatively simple to replace this ball joint yourself but you will need patients and unlike what roadkill said you WILL need a BFH, a ball joint press (Advanced Auto rental about $50) and maybe inner & outer seals.

I did it on mine last year but I also replaced the wheel bearings but I have to replace the bearings again ( I went with the cheep ones, they lasted maybe 600 miles).

I used the page listed above is it does help.

Good Luck and if you have any questions feel free to post them.

 

[Roadkill]

I read Shadow's post and thought "when did I say you dont need a hammer?" On re-reading it I see I didnt write that line very well. What I meant was dont try to pound the new joints into the knuckle with a hammer. You will certainly need the BFH to get the knuckle off the truck. Sorry if I caused a little confusion. Guess I shouldn't have cut so much school to wheelin'! LOL

 

[Broncobeginner123]

Thank you Yardtape, Roadkill and Shadow D, for the info, The link was very usefull> I definitly will use it next time i need to replace the ball joints, ringt now, i need the truck asap, so i am just going to take it to the shop and have them use higher quality joints. Its going to run me $300, that god for taxes, guese i will just have to wait for my new headers and exhaust.

Happy Wheelin