ball joints.

['97 V8]

I think its time to replace my ball joints. they are very very squeky every time i hit a bump or rock my truck. How much does it cost to replace them if i took it to a shop. would do them myself, however the givin situation im in i cant.

thanks, anyhelp is appreciated.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I have a squeek problem on my '00 but its not the ball joints...it's the bushings for the control arm. But I'm not exactly sure on times - I believe each lower ball joint is a 1.5 hrs and the uppers are probably an hour. Be sure to include an alignment after doing the uppers - the lowers you should be ok without an alignmet

-Drew

 

[410Fortune]

Yeah you might want to check the play in the wheel before you go ahead and just throw ball joints on it and then find your squeak is still there.

I mean I understand getting and installing new parts even when they are just suspect, believe me. But if you are chasing a squeak you might be chasing it for a whole lot of $$$$$'s worth of parts before you find it, also there may be parts in worse chape then the ball joints that the $$$ would be better spent on first.

So test.
You can search for ball joints on a Gen II, it is covered on this fourm alot

 

[xnetwham]

Ball Joints

The Ford Dealer quoted me $1368 for upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer Tie rods. I was able to talk them down from $1700 amazingly. I called firestone for comparison and they wanted $1500 and that did not include the alignment. Either way I know im getting raped, but I suppose replacing them is better then snapping a tierod or something along the road leading to much more of a problem or disaster. Err!

 

[carlover]

its is not that hard of a job. Parts are no more than 450$. Might take a few hours but it will save you lots of money.

 

[carlover]

Here is a good how to link

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165352

 

[BillWms01]

I just changed upper control arms (w/ ball joints) and lower ball joints on our '97 Explorer (V6 2WD) this past weekend. I used the excellent thread that carlover pointed out as a guide. And, as the thread suggests, I also changed the spark plugs.

I had only a couple of surprises. Only after I had removed one of the lower ball joints did I realize I'd need a ball joint press tool to install the new ones (maybe I missed that part of the thread! ). I rented one from Autozone, and it worked perfectly.

Secondly, on my Exp, the fuel and brake lines on the driver's side frame interferred with getting one of the cam bolts out of the UCA. It took a little pushing, prying, and wiggling to get it out and back in.

After replacement, it drove good, and an alignment yesterday confirmed everything was good to go.

 

[spotdog14]

I just got lower ball joints, and brake pads and roters all the way around on my 95 from the dealership for $915.