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  #1  
Old 02-08-2011, 07:12 PM
2001 2001 is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2011
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Default ball joints noob questions...

just turned 100k on my 2001 ranger... they tell me the ball joints need replacing.

$740 for 4 of them. a lot of money...

the truck seems to be steering fine to me, but the shop I use says they should be replaced...

1. how can I personally tell when/if they are bad? is there something I can do that shows me they are bad, or just how bad are they?

2. how bad should I let them get before I do something about it. ?

3. just need some advice, pros and cons of NOT doing this repair now..

I don't have $700 right now... if they totally go bad, will I lose my steering or something? Seems to be steering fine, and My wheel alignments are holding fine...

thanks for any help...

Last edited by 2001; 02-08-2011 at 07:16 PM.
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  #2  
Old 02-08-2011, 07:14 PM
ben10 ben10 is offline
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Default Re: ball joints noob questions...

replace them yourself, its not that big of a deal, just get a few tools, and read up on it.
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  #3  
Old 02-08-2011, 07:17 PM
DiabloBlanco DiabloBlanco is offline
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Default Re: ball joints noob questions...

Quote:
1. how can I personally tell when/if they are bad? is there something I can do that shows me they are bad, or just how bad are they?
If the boots are gone and there is evidence of rust on the ball its self thenits time to replace them

Quote:
2. how bad should I let them get before I do something about it. ?
Dont let them get too bad. But they can go a long long time withought replacing, 100k doesnt seem normal to me.
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  #4  
Old 02-08-2011, 07:25 PM
rneal55555 rneal55555 is offline
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Default Re: ball joints noob questions...

I'm with Ben, I replaced mine last year along with the rear Spring Hangers and shackles I think I had about $250 in the parts.

As far as checking them goes jack up the front end ands let the wheels hang free. With a prybar or large screwdriver see how much play is in them .
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  #5  
Old 02-08-2011, 07:28 PM
2001 2001 is offline
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Default Re: ball joints noob questions...

guess i should mention, doing them myself is out... way above my skill level.
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  #6  
Old 02-08-2011, 07:29 PM
ben10 ben10 is offline
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Default Re: ball joints noob questions...

ha well find a friend or something that is ok with a wrench its really not that hard and you only need basic tools plus a ball joint fork which is like 20-30 bucks.
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done

98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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  #7  
Old 02-08-2011, 07:59 PM
FX4OR FX4OR is offline
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Default Re: ball joints noob questions...

Quote:
Originally Posted by ben10 View Post
ha well find a friend or something that is ok with a wrench its really not that hard and you only need basic tools plus a ball joint fork which is like 20-30 bucks.
I didn't even have to do that, I got it done with a crowbar
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Old 02-08-2011, 08:03 PM
ben10 ben10 is offline
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Default Re: ball joints noob questions...

that works too, i would look into it if i didnt have the 700+ bucks to fix it.
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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done

98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done
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  #9  
Old 02-08-2011, 08:11 PM
Dcrymes99ranger Dcrymes99ranger is offline
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Default Re: ball joints noob questions...

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2001 View Post
guess i should mention, doing them myself is out... way above my skill level.
It's not that hard. Jack your truck up take the wheel off, it's a 23 mm socket to get the cam bolts off the upper control arms. Not sure about the lower. Make sure you get two sets of cam bolts. Each box has two in it. Two for each side. So you'll need two cam bolts for the driverside and two cam bolts for the passenger side. Labor time wise since it's your first time doing this, it will take atleast half a day. Power tools are a plus and also get a Chilton manuel. If you need any help pm Sandman. Hes a Ford mechanic.
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