poormonkey
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• Chicago, IL, USA |
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• Registered on 7/27/2004 |
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• 59 posts |
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 Posted:8/30/2006 09:47 |
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I have read every topic available on the forum regarding ball joints replacement. This topic probably is the one that has the most useful informationion.
http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/fordexcursions/forums/thid-4410-pid-23114-part-numbers-for-greaseable-ball-joint-installation?&highlight=ball%20joint#23114?&highlight=ball%20joint
The question I have and was looking for some advice on this one, do I attempt to replace them myself, or pay a shop to replace them? I am fine with mechanical repairs, but I don't have any pnuematic tools or some of the speciality tools to remove tie rod ends, etc....
I have a friend who works at Firestone who just hooked me up with a good price on the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo tires. Their shop discovered some "play" in both my upper and lower ball joints. I have 82k miles on my 2002. I got a quote...
Both Upper - Front:
Moog Greaseable Upper K80026 - QTY 2 $92.14
Remove & replace steering knuckle QTY 1 $193.20
Remove & Replace Ball Joint - QTY 1 $16.80
Both Lower - Front:
Moog Greaseable Lower K8607T - QTY 2 $129.68
Remove & replace steering knuckle - QTY 1 $193.20
Remove & replace ball joint - QTY 1 $16.80
Total: $863.64
Shop supplies: $25.00
Tax: $33.98
Total: $922.62
He told me he could take 10% off the total price. So, what does everyone think on the price? Let them do it, or still do it myself? Also, in the article that is linked above they talked about replacing some o-rings when you do this job. However, I don't think the quote I got included replacing any of these o-rings.
- Replace this o-ring anytime the hub is removed. F81Z-4A322-AA and will cost about $2.50
- axle shaft main seal and is Ford part number F81Z-3254-CB and will run about $29.47
- dust seal on the inside and is Ford part number F81Z-1S175-HCA, around $15.00
So, there is probably another $100 in replacement o-rings and dust seals. If someone is doing the job, one would think while they are in there they would replace these o-rings and seals.
I have spoke to a few buddies who say I should pay someone to do this, it is a pain the butt to do it. Also, I would rather take it to Ford, but I think they would be quoting me $1200 plus. I would like to know the shop that is doing it would replace all the necessary o-rings and dust seals during the repair job. If the Firestone shop didn't give me a quote for those parts, well that means they weren't going to replace them.
2002 Excursion 4x4 7.3L |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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Posted:8/30/2006 10:10 |
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This is an upgrade I'm wanting to the do in the near future although my stock balljoints are ok.
Did the shop determine the steering knuckles are bad and need replacement?Just sounds abit weird since I haven't heard them going bad.
Some auto parts stores like AutoZone lend out tools(with deposit) to complete nearly any job.
Here's a quote I got for the parts less the steering knuckles from a Ford truck Dealer in Indianapolis.
| Quote: | Complete set of upper and lower ball joints w/ seals and o-rings 99-04 F-SERIES 4x4
$242.74 less shipping
Kit contains:
2-K80026 upper greasable ball joints Moog Brand
2-K8607T lower.greasable ball joints Moog Brand
2- F81Z 4A322AA Yellow Orings between the hub and knuckle
2-F81Z 3254CB Hub seals
2-F81Z 1S175HCA Axle seals
Moog brand is superior to the OEM Ford balljoints due to the fact that they come with a grease zerk. This is enables you to grease them and prolong the life versus the OEM ones which are a sealed unit and do not allow you to grease them. |
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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poormonkey
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• Chicago, IL, USA |
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• Registered on 7/27/2004 |
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• 59 posts |
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Posted:8/30/2006 10:51 |
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| Quote: | | Did the shop determine the steering knuckles are bad and need replacement?Just sounds abit weird since I haven't heard them going bad. |
No, they just said that all the ball joints have some "play" in them. They said they would be ok for a little while longer, but we all know the Excursion is one heavy vehicle. I use to have access to a buddies garage who had pneumatic tools and every other tool you needed. However, he had to go get a divorce and now I can't use his home garage any more since they sold the house. I just hate tackling some of these jobs without a pneumatic impact wrench to help out on some of the bolts that have never been taken off the car before...... I did see that kit offered on http://www.powerstrokeshop.com/ website. Not a bad price for all the parts at all.
You just gotta luv your local Ford dealer. My local ford dealer here in St. Charles, IL - Zimmerman Ford gave me this nice quote....
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Here is the estimate: Parts 468.50
Labor 792.00
Alignment 80.00
Total 1340.50 plus tax
Let me know if you would like the work done. I'll need a day or so to get all the parts.
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2002 Excursion 4x4 7.3L |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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Posted:8/30/2006 13:48 |
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I hear ya on the power tools gotta have em whenever doing heavy wrenching especially on suspension 
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2
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Posted:8/30/2006 16:59 |
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Personally, I would buy the parts kit from an online source (discountfordparts.com) or from the place Bill got the quote from and then source the labor through an independant shop. I bet you could save over half the quoted labor charge.
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:8/30/2006 18:21 |
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And don't forget to add in a front-end alignment. |
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:9/2/2006 11:55 |
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I did mine myself. You definitely need air tools for this project. If you don't have them, then don't attempt it. There's no way you could press the ball joints back into place without air tools.
If you replace the axle shaft seals, these are also pressed on. You will most likely need to take these somewhere to get pressed on.
Yes, it's a lot cheaper if you do it yourself, but you definitely need the proper tools to accomplish this. I took video of the entire ball joint swap that I intend on posting online with a write-up. I can do this in another couple weeks (traveling this week and next). This'll give you an idea of what the project entails.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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HBJJAM
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• Minneapolis, MN, USA |
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• Registered on 6/23/2005 |
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• 94 posts |
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Posted:9/2/2006 17:40 |
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Od it yourself and save the $$
It took me three nights in teh garage at less then 3 hours each night.
I will say you need three major things, on the DESIRE, Two a BFH! and three, a local shop that can press the joints in and out for you along with the seals.
I destroyed one rear seal learning how to get the axle out. 
Total parts was less them $300. This includes Moog ball joints, and the seals and joints pressed.
I did have to buy larger impact socket for the ball joint nuts, Especially the lower. Make sure you tighten that one BEFORE putting hte axle back in 
One thing I did not like about the Moog Greasable jionts is the zerk is to high and hit on the axle once I turned them.
Hardest thing about the entire job was pressing hte jionts out in order to 'drop' out the knuckles.
Most learned lesson on this, was to make sure the antilock wire harnes was out of the way before swinging the BFH! Snapped the drivers side  $117 wasted 
All in all though, even with buying the extra tools, it was very satisfying knowin of a $900 savings in labor and having my local mechanic mad becuase I did it myself!  |
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poormonkey
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• Chicago, IL, USA |
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• Registered on 7/27/2004 |
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• 59 posts |
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Posted:9/10/2006 17:15 |
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Can someone recommend a better balljoint then moog that the zerk fittings don't hit the axle? Or is it possible to change out the zerk fitting?
"One thing I did not like about the Moog Greasable jionts is the zerk is to high and hit on the axle once I turned them. "
2002 Excursion 4x4 7.3L |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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Posted:9/10/2006 17:33 |
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Sometimes the zerks when installed on the balljoints don't seat all the way creating a clearance problem,some people filed em down 1/16" to 1/32" for better clearance.
Go by a NAPA auto parts or similar and look for "short" 90 degree zerks as they should clear much better than the Moog zerks,I'd think that most heavy equipment shops like Caterpillar would stock em in different sizes at their parts dept.
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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