front brakes dont really throw the "while youre in there" vibe. they arent intrusive. if you dont need ball joints/ tie rods/ u joints/ etc, leave them be.

 

I know I have an issue somewhere in the front end. I'm getting a horrible vibration in the front, but seems to occur once the truck warms up after 30-40 minutes of driving. Most of the time, it works itself out. Last Friday, it stated again, and got worse than it's ever been. Finally let up after about 25-30 minutes, until I went around a sharp corner. Was just as bad. Got to where I was going, let things cool down for about 30 minutes, drove home. Didn't have a problem all the way. I'm definitely pulling the hubs and checking bearings, probably will replace them. Will also check steering components as well. Just figured, with as many miles as it has, might be good insurance to go ahead and replace the ball joints.

 

If you have the time and money and tools, rebuild it. I was just saying doing the brakes isn't much more than pulling the wheel off. Ball joints involve complete disassembly of the knuckles. Your hubs are unitized assemblies by the way.

 

what year truck ?

 

2004 F350 DRW 4x4

 

just checking
thats the last year for the needle bearing you mentioned the 05 up had a sealed bearing

 

Yup you will be a busy Buckaroo for sure. I'm going to just sell my truck when my ball joints crap out.

 

Back to my original question: does anyone have any recommendations for ball joints? I plan on keeping the truck for a while, so I'd like something that will last, but I don't want to spend a fortune either

 

I replaced both sides of my 04 with OEM ball joints. I figured the originals lasted to 150,000 miles so I'll stick with 'em! Heard a lot of hit or miss feedback on other brands.

 

OEM thats my plan but I am adding Zerk fittings ( I used to have a OEM part # that had Zerk fittings )
mine were done at 50k under warranty ( probably just looking for warranty work ) but I am getting all the stuff together to do them again at 120,000

 

I was surprised the new OEM replacements I got have zerks on the lowers already. I should have tapped them in on the top. It would have been pretty easy.

 

I found Guzzle's site that showed how to lube up early model SD bearings, and then found a post on another forum that had expanded on those instructions, but actually replaced them. Didn't look difficult.

 

you can replace both the old needle bearing style and the new sealed bearing units

i just wanted to make sure yours was like Guzzles and not the newer style

 

I'm in on this thread since I am starting to get prepared to replace most of my front steering and suspension parts on my 04.

 

Subbed in for the same reason. Maybe Mike will jump in. @fordsvtparts

 

just did this on my '03 550, used Moog joints and a 20T shop press. Wasn't anywhere near as hard as all these online posts led me to believe. Joints all had grease zerks that cleared the stub shaft u-joint knuckles, fit nice, had great looking seals, no complaints. Got it all of amazon.

 

Oh well thanks for the clarification
the uppers don't fit the 05 up

but interesting that they have zerks nonetheless