Ball joint life expectancy

[aldive]

What do you guys feel is the life expectancy of ball joints on late model Explorers?

Thanks.....

 

[spiper]

Just a guess, but I think about 200,000 mi

 

[mattadams]

well it dpeends a lot on how the vehicle is used. If your jane grandma and drive the explorer to the grocery store and church and back, probably the life of the vehicle. If you beat the crap out of your truck wheeling it, much less. Still I'd expect them to last longer then 100,000 miles or so.

 

[Yomie]

mine started going out at about 60,000 and replaced under warranty. the truck was only driven hard offroad about 4 times at that point

 

[mrboyle]

I have seen ball joints fail with as little as 20K on them. On average they last 150K or more. One thing you might take into consideration is the fact that your X is lowered. By lowering the suspension you change the position of the ball joint and make it run in a different location than it had for however many miles the vehicle was driven at stock height. In some cases this can cause the joint to wear at a faster rate than normal.

 

[X24]

Originally posted by mrboyle
I have seen ball joints fail with as little as 20K on them. On average they last 150K or more. One thing you might take into consideration is the fact that your X is lowered. By lowering the suspension you change the position of the ball joint and make it run in a different location than it had for however many miles the vehicle was driven at stock height. In some cases this can cause the joint to wear at a faster rate than normal.

If you are lowered and got new ball joints would they last longer because they didnt have any previous wear on them in a different position? What about the limiteds? I have seen a few that are just as low as mine in the front. I know they have air suspensions but if they can ride at that height why cant I?

 

[aldive]

I am lowered only about 1.5 inches. Do you think that makes much of a difference?

Thanks.....

 

[benj75]

By lowering the suspension you change the position of the ball joint and make it run in a different location than it had for however many miles the vehicle was driven at stock height. In some cases this can cause the joint to wear at a faster rate than normal.

i would have to agree with that statement, makes perfect sense to me.

but it would simply be speculation if anyone stated that lowering an EX, Xinches would cause them to fail around Xmiles.

there are so many variables, that it would be pretty difficult to even somewhat accurately predict the life of a ball joint on a lowered EX(or any other vehicle for that matter).

remember, we all have our own driving style, drive on different roads, carry different loads, run different shocks, and have various EX models, driven by people we don't know(if bought used), lowered at different spots on the odometer, etc, etc, etc.

if you're worried about your ball joints failing prematurely, remember that the next time you feel the urge to do something you know will make your EX bounce like a $20ho. lol, seriously just take it easy and don't abuse your EX. any more than necessary, of course

 

[Hartman]

Al's getting worried about his ball joints! Don't worry Al, I'm getting concerned about it too. I want to pick up a set of MOOG balljoints before I lower.

 

[X24]

I got a quote for all 4 MOOG joints installed for $1,100. That is from an alignment shop that is very expensive but everyone that I have talked to that has a lowered truck swears by this guy. His shop is so clean you could eat off the floor and everyone that works there has worked there for a very long time. The owner is about 60 yrs old. They know what they are doing and when the time comes that I need to get mine replaced I wont hesitate to drop the $1,100 to have him do it. He also told me that he does not install factory replacements because they are crap. He only installs MOOG on fords.

 

[410Fortune]

You give me $1100 and I'll fly down there and install 4 Moog ball joints.......It's not THAT labor intensive.........

 

[410Fortune]

Oh wait nevermind, mechanics in NY charge a ton!!!!!!!! You can probably have that same job done here in Denver for $300......

Do it yourself, front end work is scary until you do it, it's not that bad. Ball joints are pretty easy.........

 

[X24]

Well, apparently there is an ABS sensor that has to come out to do the job and it breaks very easily. $110 each if that happens. Then, the upper joint is the whole a-arm, not just the joint. That part alone is $115. 2 of them, 2 lower joints at $38 each and 2.5 hrs of labor each side, an alignment and camber kit if needed. I know its a lot of money but this guy does it right and he is the best around. IMO, its worth it for me just so I can know that it was done right.

 

[Jason_25]

98FordZX4, have done the math on that labor rate? Their work per hour comes out to be $158.80 !!!

I can guarantee you that their job won't be THAT much better than a normal, decent shop that charges 60 bucks an hour.