Front suspension advice

[DSmithF250]

I just bought a 2002 F250 and and really liked the truck, but as it turns out it has a lot of things wrong with it that I missed in my inspection before purchase. I was told today by a reputable repair shop that I need to have both upper and lower ball joints replaced plus both outer tie rod ends. I have been doing some reading but wonder what some experts would do? I have a good mechanical aptitude but do not have the tools to do the job but don't have the 1100 dollars I was quoted. Is there a good brand of parts or some other things to replace while I'm doing the job? Any advice would be appreciated.

[1BADTON]

If you have the time, and about 700 you should be able to do it yourself. Harbor freight has the ball joint service kit for $70 online, horizon ford has a complete ball joint kit for $400 on line and your local auto shop should have your tie rod ends about 70 each. Good luck Also for me I can't have enough tools But I think you can rent them at your local auto parts stores and save alittle money

[Turbostang500]

I just did my front end.

First, it is gonna depend on whether your 4x4 or 2?

I have a 4x4. I did uppers, lowers, inner driver side tie rod, and axle u-joints. I had about 500 bucks in that and all are lifetime replacement Moog. I bought it from Advance Auto and if you buy online, they are offering 20% off up to a certain amount.

Tools are always welcomed at my place too! Lol especially to save 600 bucks! That is a lot of tools that you get to keep when done! I dont have a ball joint tool but do have a shop press and big air hammer. The ball joint tool would be recommended and even if it is 100 bucks, your still saving 500!

[rascal]

I bent the p!ss out of the C clamp in the Harbor Freight ball joint toolkit when I did my front end so I went to Auto Zone and rented theirs for $100. When I was done I took it back and they gave me my $100 back.

I took the Harbor Freight P.O.S. back the next day. I bent it on a frozen u-joint. I did not even get to try it on the ball joint(s).

[Turbostang500]

^ thats no joke! My u-joints were FROZEN! Took a 32oz. hammer to get them to move!

[KMA Towing]

agreed
MOOG is the brand you want (don't forget to grease them)
and for a $100 refundable deposit then borrow from your local parts store.

and lets face it you can youtube how to do the ball joints. If you take your time and have a few hours to kill then you can do the job for a lot less than $1100 but the labor is on YOU if you need to warranty a part out.

and afterward don't forget to get an allignment

[ScottyP5947]

Maybe ask around, I found a friend who is a ford tech who did my ball joints for 200 bucks. I figured it wasn't worth my time to fight with it for the 200 in labor, and I NEVER pay anyone to do anything for me but that was a deal I couldn't pass up.

Good luck, and yes moog is the way to go. I have motorcraft ones installed and have had no trouble over 45,000 miles, and they are greaseable too - it's what I had quick access to.

Scott

[blderman]

Don't know if you got this done or not but I replaced my ball joints with XRF and used a harbor freight press all for $250.00. I have now done (2) set of ball joints and 12 set of u-joints with the press and have zero issues with it. The key to using it is once you have applied full torque to the threaded rod, give the top of the rod a sharp tap with a hammer and it will pop the joint right out of its frozen state. If you keep trying to torque the rod you will bend the c-clamp. It really isn't that bad of a job, the most difficult part of the job is taking the time to build your own set tool for the axle shaft seals.