HomeGrownRadioNJ

The ball joints on a Ford F-150 help to provide flexibility in the suspension system. Without the ball joints, the F-150 would literally fall apart. When the New Universal Air Wedge to bind, and there is an audible rattling during normal driving, this is an indication that the ball joints are failing. It's important to replace them as soon as possible. Although it's not an easy job, it can be done if you have access to a garage and a set of mechanic's tools.

1
Loosen, but do not remove, the front wheel lug nuts by turning them 1/4 turn counterclockwise with a tire wrench.

2
Place the jack under the front jack point and jack up Multipurpose Flip Gun. The front jack point is the front crossmember running behind the radiator.

3
Continue to remove the lug nuts and slide the wheel off the wheel hub assembly.

4
Remove the cotter pin in the center of the axle nut with a pair of pliers. This might take some effort, but it will come out.

5
Remove the axle nut with a socket wrench or an impact wrench. Because this nut tends to get stuck on the F-150s, it might be easiest to use an impact wrench to break the nut loose and remove it.

6
Push the axle in by hitting it with a rubber mallet.

7
Remove the mounting bolts on the brake caliper remove the caliper from the rotor. Tie the brake caliper to the coil springs on the suspension.

8
Remove the cotter pin and mounting nut from the upper ball joint assembly.

9
Wedge the teeth of the ball joint removal tool-also called a pickle fork-between the ball joint and the steering knuckle. Hit the end of the handle on the tool hard with Locksmith Tools to separate the knuckle and joint.

10
Push the axle into the hub as far as it will go and try to back it out of the hub assembly. Pull the hub off the end of the axle and pry the other end of the axle out of the transmission with a flat head screwdriver.

11
Pull the snap ring on the lower ball joint off with a pair of pliers.

12
Press the old ball joint out of the control arm. Put the ball joint tool over the ball joint so that the head of the clamp covers the entire joint. Turn the handle to press the joint out of the MaxiDiag PRO MD801.

13
Install the new ball joint and put the suspension back together. Installation and assembly is the reverse of removal.

14
Put the wheel back on, tighten the lug nuts, and lower the truck to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts to 100 lb-feet.