Ball Joint Replacement

[mechjames]

It's time to replace my ball joints. I have a bit of wobble on the highway, and the wheels don't look straight, more like /this\.

Im going to get a friend to help me that has worked on these trucks before, but he has changed them in a 94 7.3 4x4 truck. Mine is a 1996 7.3 f250 2x4.

What else should I do while i'm in there? I was thinking of rebuilding the whole front end, all bushings, tie rods ends, but i'm not sure if I have the budget for that.

I haven't been able to find a complete bushing kit for a 2x4 truck, like some companies make for jeep / ford 4x4's etc, so I'd be ordering the all individually from rockauto.

I guess what i'm asking is, If I do just ball joints only, what else needs to be done at that point? And if I decide to do everything, what is everything on these front ends?

Thanks

[jesilvas]

I'd do the ball joints, align it, and check camber/caster/etc.
But if you do tie rods and others, you'd have to check all that then too.

[mechjames]

Originally Posted by jesilvas

I'd do the ball joints, align it, and check camber/caster/etc.
But if you do tie rods and others, you'd have to check all that then too.

I spent some more time under the truck today. Everything else seems tight. Axle pivot bushing, tie rod ends are all ok.

Will do ball joints next weekend and take it in for an alignment.

[7.3powerstroker]

Do the wheel bearings too.


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[bigjoe]

Hope I'm not to late but I'd replace the front u joints, easy now than later Joe