wheel bearings and ball joints

[Fulltime]

Well I recently installed a lift (6") and tires. After the install I was not very satisfied with the low end performance of the truck so I changed the gears from a 373 to a 430. The change put the engine back close to stock performance with the engine running in the power bad. I thought that would be it for awhile but then I had a wheel bearing go bad so they had to be changed. While I was at it I did both upper and lower ball joints.

Sure hope that is it for awhile as the ole' wallet cant handle much more and I don't want to hear the better half give me #$%&.

[RichardT]

how hard was it to change the ball joints? whats involed with that. What would be your level of hardness 1-10??

[Fulltime]

The ball joints are not very hard to change if you have the right tools. I rented the ball joint press/puller which made it real easy. Now breaking the bolts loose took some effort but if you have a good set of sockets and a big breaker bar it is not to bad. One thing I did not have was a good set of snap ring pliers to remove the snap ring from the axle shaft inside of the 4x4 hub. That took the longest to get out as I had to use a small screw driver. Next time I will get the pliers.

On a scale of 1-10 I would rate the job as a 6. It took me a few hours to do one side but once you see how every thing fits together it should only take about 4 hours to do the job with hand tools.
Good luck,
Mike

[TenMore]

[ On a scale of 1-10 I would rate the job as a 6. It took me a few hours to do one side but once you see how every thing fits together it should only take about 4 hours to do the job with hand tools.
Good luck,
Mike[/quote]

is it a 6 because of the process? Or because its a pain in the but? Need to replace mine on 2000 ps f250 Just wondering weather to have someone do it or do it my self

[Fulltime]

I would rate it a six due to the process of unbolting everything and pressing the joints out. Once you see how everything fits together it is not to bad with the right tools.

[RichardT]

I'm still debating this issue to. i could save a ton of cash doing it myself. what special tools do i need for this job?

[Fulltime]

I rented a ball joint press kit from advance auto parts. It was free just need to put a deposit on it. You will also need a torgue wrench, snap ring pliers and just your basic large sockets for the nuts and bolts. It really is not that hard. If you take your time and look at everything before you take it appart you will see that it is starit forward. The new hub comes with every thing except the 4 studs that hold it in place. I took my old studs out and used them. Just double nut them togethe and unscrew them and then screw them into the new hub.
good luck

[georgemclain]

I recently changed the ball joints on my 03 F250 4x4 7.3L. All went well until I drove it. I makes a noise like the ABS is having a problem. I took it apart again and every thing looks right. It brakes good but makes this strange noise when I push the pedal or turn the steering right or left. It was just fine before I changed the ball joints.

Any idea what I have done wrong?

Thanks for your ideas.
George

[Nightcrawler]

Hi Guys, I'm just about to change my ball joints today. It looks like it would be a lot easier on a 2wd than a 4wd. Do you have to take the drive shaft out or does the knuckle joint fall down far enough to lower the ball joints out? Hmm did that make sence? I guess you guys will be in bed anyway so I will have to work it out for myself.....

[Fulltime]

Not sure about 2x4 but to change the ball joints on a 4x4 you will need to pull the axles to get the ball joints out. Good Luck