'95 F350 4x4 balljoints

[littleblueoval]

Steering won't center after turning. Local Ford mechanic said it is probably balljoints binding. I've had friends do the work on their trucks and they say it is a tough job. I would love the"I did it myself" satisfaction as well as the $ savings. I've got a tools, a decent shop, and some mechanical ability (small engines and tractors) I've put new wheel bearings in my F250 4x4 snowplow but have never gone in deeper than that. Should I attempt the job or am I opening up a nightmare. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. A schematic would be a great help. Also have a rustbucket 1978 Bronco that runs okay but is no longer road worthy, scrap it or is it worth more as parts?
Thanks to all who reply!

 

[Skandocious]

Hey welcome to the site buddy!

Yes steering not returning to center is definitely a symptom of bad ball joints. Ball joints definitely aren't an EASY job but they aren't impossible either. You'll need a ball joint press and some other misc tools but it ain't that bad. A Chiltons or Haynes should outline the procedure. I'll go check my online repair manual right now.

 

[Skandocious]

My online service manual (similar to a Chiltons or Haynes) doesn't offer much... Here's the instructions for removing the shafts, spindle and joints...

When I get home I can look it up in my Ford repair manual, which is a lot more detailed. Just so you can get a rough idea of the work involved... Here's the instructions for removing the spindles and then changing the ball joints for a 4x2 truck, from my Ford repair manual.

 

[95F350XL]

Ball Joints are cake. If you can take the hubs off you can get the ball joints out. As Chris said you just need the ball joint tool. It takes about an hr to do it all, but for a 1st timer its maybe a few hrs. To ck you ball joints jack up the front of the truck and grab the top and bottom of the wheel. Then rock it and see if you have play. You could also have a sticking tie rod or something else. Put the front on jack stands and move the steering back and forth. If its stiff then you have something binding. So then pop the tie rods on 1 side and then move it back and forth again, if its the same pop the other side tie rod, if it gets easy or the same then you got ball joints left or tie rods. You get the pic.

 

[littleblueoval]

Wow! You guys are GREAT!! Thanks for all of the info and the step by step instructions. My Haynes book didn't go into any of that detail. I think by taking my time and following your instructions I can get the job done. What an excellent resource, like having a Ford mechanic in my back pocket. It will be so good to get that thing back on the road again. She may be rusty but I love her! Thanks again!!

 

[flareside_thunder]

Welcome to the site......glad they could help you with that info.....like Skandocious said...the job ain't easy but it ain't impossible.......good luck and drop a line if you need any more info.

 

[Skandocious]

Wow! You guys are GREAT!! Thanks for all of the info and the step by step instructions. My Haynes book didn't go into any of that detail. I think by taking my time and following your instructions I can get the job done. What an excellent resource, like having a Ford mechanic in my back pocket. It will be so good to get that thing back on the road again. She may be rusty but I love her! Thanks again!!

No don't use those instructions!! Lol!! That's for a 2wd, I was just trying to give you an idea of the work you had ahead of you.

Now that I'm back home, HERE are the instructions for the Dana 60

 

[andym]

No don't use those instructions!! Lol!! That's for a 2wd, I was just trying to give you an idea of the work you had ahead of you.

Now that I'm back home, HERE are the instructions for the Dana 60

Darn, you beat me to it.

I would plan on a lot more than a few hours, if it's your first time. Maybe even get a buddy to help. My first time it took me a whole weekend. If it's rusty, then you're going to struggle with it is my guess. I'm not discouraging you - we'll give you advice and help all the way - but you shouldn't expect it to be a cakewalk either.

However, I never trust *anyone's* diagnosis but my own (even then...) so I would make DARN sure that it's the ball joints before I went tearing into it. Jack up each front wheel (a buddy helps) and have him move the tire up and down. If there's any wiggle at all, try to pinpoint exactly where the source of it is. If the wheel moves but nothing else seems to move with it, then you might just need to tighten up the bearings some, which is a lot less work.

Replacement parts... do NOT cheap out on these unless you are fond of doing this job. If you go to Kragen and buy whatever's on sale I promise you you'll regret it. Go to rockauto.com and order Moog ball joints. They are the best you can buy, even better than Ford ball joints.

In addition to the ball joint press, I would also recommend using a slide hammer with a spindle puller attachment to remove the spindles. Getting them off is the hardest part of the job, and I the slide hammer will make it much easier. You will still have to reef on it pretty hard.

Also if it's rusty, start soaking your parts in PB blaster now and every couple of days until you do the job. Stuff will come apart much easier.

Where do you live?

Edit - I'm so happy to start seeing tech posts from new users in here!

 

[littleblueoval]

more than ball joints

I saw that the original diagram was for two wheel drive. Thanks for the 4by info!
But I think the problem is different than I thought. Local Ford mechanic said to turn the wheels and then try to turn the axle u joint by turning the front drive shaft. If the axle won't rotate then the u joint is bad and that could be hanging up the steering. Question is do I have to pull the axles to replace the u joints or can they be done on the truck? Looks like the ball joints will have to come out to get at the axle u joints so the project just got bigger. Ah what fun!
Thanks for all of your help! Wisconsin is a cold place where everything gets rusty in a hurry.

 

[Skandocious]

Yes sir, you'll have to pull the shafts to replace the u-joints. Keep us posted on what you find out.

 

[95F350XL]

Just did ball joints on a 05 Excursion today 6.0L Powerstroke Bully Dog Tripple Dog. SWEEET 6" Lift with 35's. Anyway you can get the axle shaft out on those years without taking the knuckle off. I think ours might be the same way, just take the hub out and whatever is around it.

 

[andym]

Right - you don't have to remove the knuckle to get the axles out. You need to remove the spindle though.

 

[95F350XL]

Aint the spindle and knuckle the same thing. The spindle is like 2wd and a knuckle is like 4x4 aint it? Look back at Chris posts on the 2wd and 4wd. The 2wd doesnt have the hub opening that the 4x4 does.

 

[Skandocious]

Aint the spindle and knuckle the same thing. The spindle is like 2wd and a knuckle is like 4x4 aint it? Look back at Chris posts on the 2wd and 4wd. The 2wd doesnt have the hub opening that the 4x4 does.

The knuckle is the part that holds the ball joints:

The spindle is the part with the axle shaft pokin' through:

The spindle bolts to the knuckle

 

[95F350XL]

Lol see im used to a stang style spindle where its built into the knuckle. I dont consider that a spindle. Thats the hub. At lest to me.

 

[Skandocious]

Nah... The hub is affixed to the rotor. Lol

 

[Brian_B]

I don't want to interupt a tech thread, but that fancy tool to remove them is expensive. I don't know if anyone mentioned this, but a lot of parts stores will "rent" (deposit required) you the tool to replace the parts. I know I have "rented" several different tools from the local O'reilly auto parts store. When I return the tool (usually a couple of days) I get the deposit back.

 

[95F350XL]

This looks like the one we got at work, tho ours is prob a better brand. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Automotive-BALL-JOINT-PRESS-Service-Tool-Kit-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43996QQihZ004QQitemZ140231043571QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Whatever its called just take everything off till you get to the part you want. Its all just a big puzzle.

 

[andym]

I picked up a Mac tools ball joint press on ebay a few years ago for $80. I haven't had to do ball joints yet (thankfully) but I've done lots of u-joints with it already.

 

[flareside_thunder]

that's a good find Andy....