Hi all New guy here. I have an '01 ranger xlt that I had to replace ball joints on in '05 at 28,000 miles (I was just out of warranty so had to eat the cost myself). I now have 58,000 and they need to be replaced again. I do not beat this vehicle, I am not in a 4x4 club or go off roading. I cannot understand what is wrong with the front end of this vehicle. Ford dealer is telling me this is not uncommon especialy with the condition of the roads in Milwaukee. I got a number for ford customer service and will be calling but just wondering if anyone can shed some light on this.

Milwaukee, I could see that some of those roads you can't even walk on. make sure the truck is alined, when you replace them, you can get a Moog ball joint much better than the $10 ones, also make sure you are cleaning them before you grease them, and make sure you do grease them.

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98 4.0 2wd-----supercharger fully build heads cam...all show with go......3 time world of wheels champ 5 time national winner


lots of ranger parts for sale leftovers from my 94/96
96 sitting on the frame, waiting to go lower


custom billet parts by me intake adapters and billet steps for the step sides

please sign my guestbook!!
http://breyperformancemachine.shutterfly.com/

Had the same problem with my Dakota. Every 50000 mi or so needed new ones. 200000 on the truck when I junked it.
Always have the wheels hanging when u grease it so the grease gets all around the ball.

That is unusual, even for an area with bad roads.

The roads here aren't the greatest, but my truck's ball joints are still fine at 72K miles. My old 2001 Ranger still had the originals (and the original alignment) at 93K miles when I sold it.

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Alan

2002 Ranger XLT Super Cab
3.0 V6, 5R44E, 2WD

On the 01 models they had the ttb(if I remember right) still for the 4x4s and A arms on the 2wds so which do you have 2 or 4 wd? on either one it could be a bent arm but sounds more like a bent knuckle or inner tie rod link from what you have described and causing this repeated problem.

Do you have torsion keys or maxed tbars?

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That year is A-arm suspesion/IFS

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Sold:2004 XLT 4x2 Ext. Cab. 3.0 Mods: 3" spindle, AAL, shackle, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, billet grille, clear corners, flow 40 dumped, line-x, CB/PA, traction bars, lil sound system, auto up down windows
Sold:2005 XLT 4x4 Ext. Cab. 4.0 Mods: ProComp lights w/ HID swap on tabs, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, CB/PA, black out heads/corners, lil sound system, cranked t-bars, flow 40 dumped, line-x, shell, bed rug, 06+ tails, metal tail gate handle since plastic one shattered, OHC, Mustang Dome.

My driver side ball joints are 30 years old. And fine.
My passenger side ball joints are old enough to buy alcohol and just fine. Huh... What's going on with product quality?

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2000 Ford Ranger XLT: SAS, Sliders, Bumpers, Gears, Lockers, Shafts, 33gal gas tank, Shortened from 130 to 112" WB, Home brew bed and spare carriers,

Receiving: tons and a 351w stroked to a 427.

1972 Ford F250 "Explorer", 390fe Big block, lime green

Receving: 14bolt rear w/ disks, cam, 650cfm 4 barrel, intake, exhaust,

Ditto! I have a factory stock 2001 XLT with about 26k on it and I think I need to switch some ball joints out too. Every time I turn, go over a bump or get in/out of the truck (I'm a big bugger, so there's some sway!) I get a bloody awful creaking/squeaking sound from the front drivers side wheel well. After reading some posts here it sounds like I have the exact same problem.

Maybe the 2001 XLT's got a crappy batch?

If I can live with the noise, is this something I need to get done? I ask because I know bugger all about cars and I'd rather ask you guys than the bloke I am going to pay to do it.

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2001 Ford Ranger XLT, 2WD, ~30K miles
Air box mod

Michigan roads eat wheels, tires, BJ's, and tie rods. And that's just for breakfast.

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ɹǝʌo ǝɯ dılɟ

I changed his balljoints his lower ones had no grease in them that was the reason for them to go bad. also his shocks were due to be replaced, that also increased teh wear on the tires and joints

curt

__________________
98 4.0 2wd-----supercharger fully build heads cam...all show with go......3 time world of wheels champ 5 time national winner


lots of ranger parts for sale leftovers from my 94/96
96 sitting on the frame, waiting to go lower


custom billet parts by me intake adapters and billet steps for the step sides

please sign my guestbook!!
http://breyperformancemachine.shutterfly.com/

im always doing them between muddin it and michigans roads

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97 ford ranger
sas d44 front 5.13 gears welded front an rear 35in super swamper tsl sx's