Ball joints... maybe

[rakers3831]

Anybody know of common signs of ball joints going out on these trucks. I've got a bad sterring wheel vibration at highway speeds and no idea wth is going on.
Thanks guys

rakers3831

[curcio13085]

if you need some ball joints I can make you a good deal. I bought some and then check mine and mine are fine. Problem is boxes got wet and they wont return them. They are napa ball joints for my 2006 f-250.

[Northernl]

Reach down there, grab ahold of them and give them a shake. They shouldn't move much. You may need to jack the front end to do this.

[rakers3831]

Ok but would ball joints cause the shaking and vibrations?

rakers3831

[Lilpooh]

Originally Posted by rakers3831

Ok but would ball joints cause the shaking and vibrations?

rakers3831

If the are real bad, then yes.

Jack up truck until tire is off ground, use jack stands for safety reasons. Either check yourself or have a buddy help you. Have your buddy put his hands on the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock position on the tire. Have him alternate push/pull the tire while you look at the ball joint for play. There should be no play. You can also put a large pry bar between the tire and ground to try and wiggle the tire to check ball joint play.

[rakers3831]

They probably are bad bc its been doing it a while but yesterday the truck started shaking and I about kost control. It jerked the wheel out of my hand.

rakers3831

[Lilpooh]

While you have the truck jacked up, check your hub bearings.

You buddy will put his hands in the 3-9 position, and push/pull in/out. You will look at the rotor and steering knuckle. Use the steering knuckle as a solid point of reference. there should be no play movement or clicking when watching the rotor.

[Karls03]

While secured on jacks, stick a 2x4, or long pipe, anything about 2~3ft long and act like you're trying to lift the truck with your piece under the front tire. This puts more leverage on the tire than the hands on psuh/pull. If it moves up and down, you won new ball joints.When my ball joints went, the tires would sometimes camber in at the top so bad it was noticable. Other days, not so much.

I would start at the steering knuckles on the drag link and work my way up to the pitman arm. Using large slip jaw pliers, squeeze the joints, if they move, they're bad. By what you have described, I would think it's steering knuckles more than ball joints.

[jerg_064]

What do you mean by 'squeeze the joints'? Can't picture what your saying Karl.

[rakers3831]

Ok so all of that being said, I just priced ball joints and their not to bad. I didn't ask about a steering knuckles. Does any one know if anybody offers an "upgrade" for either. Id like to prevent not just replace if possible

rakers3831