sellscottsell
Member
- Joined
- November 20, 2001
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Boston
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 96 XLT
I just finished up a few repairs on my 96 X in order to pass state inspection. However the truck failed due to worn upper ball joints. What troubles me most is that these parts were replaced with Quality Ford Parts back in October of 2001.
At the time my ball joints were replaced, I had my sway bar links replaced under recall and my Firestones replaced under recall. The $700 of work for my ball joints seemed like a bargain since Ford was picking up the tab for everything else.
Considering that in October of 2001 my truck had only 78,000 miles and now she has only 89,000, I’m concerned I was sold defective parts. Isn’t it reasonable to expect more than 11,000 miles out of ball joints? This is our AWD grocery cart, the only off-roading we do is to park in our gravel driveway!
As for the vehicle, I keep her in great shape. The newer Goodyear’s are wearing perfectly and I keep them rotated. There’s no play in the wheel and the only noise I hear is a squeak when I stand in the door frame and bounce the car up and down. The squeak comes from the left front suspension area (my shocks were replaced this fall with Monroe Sensimatics).
The local Ford dealership who originally did the work did not fail the vehicle. Another local mechanic failed me. The Ford guys commented that this fellow will fail ball joints if there is the slightest wobble (perhaps a good thing). The Ford shop will inspect my ball joints this Thursday morning. Anything you guys think I should know before I meet with them will be helpful. If I have to buy new ball joints, I want to get as much out of Ford as I can! By the way, the Ford Dealer let me know that the Quality Ford Parts carry a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty. However my 12 months are long over. Nice to know that Ford will only stand behind a $700 ball joint repair for 12 month!
At the time my ball joints were replaced, I had my sway bar links replaced under recall and my Firestones replaced under recall. The $700 of work for my ball joints seemed like a bargain since Ford was picking up the tab for everything else.
Considering that in October of 2001 my truck had only 78,000 miles and now she has only 89,000, I’m concerned I was sold defective parts. Isn’t it reasonable to expect more than 11,000 miles out of ball joints? This is our AWD grocery cart, the only off-roading we do is to park in our gravel driveway!
As for the vehicle, I keep her in great shape. The newer Goodyear’s are wearing perfectly and I keep them rotated. There’s no play in the wheel and the only noise I hear is a squeak when I stand in the door frame and bounce the car up and down. The squeak comes from the left front suspension area (my shocks were replaced this fall with Monroe Sensimatics).
The local Ford dealership who originally did the work did not fail the vehicle. Another local mechanic failed me. The Ford guys commented that this fellow will fail ball joints if there is the slightest wobble (perhaps a good thing). The Ford shop will inspect my ball joints this Thursday morning. Anything you guys think I should know before I meet with them will be helpful. If I have to buy new ball joints, I want to get as much out of Ford as I can! By the way, the Ford Dealer let me know that the Quality Ford Parts carry a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty. However my 12 months are long over. Nice to know that Ford will only stand behind a $700 ball joint repair for 12 month!
2003, sport trac, balljoints shot at 6K miles, replaced under warranty, 16 K miles now, balljoints again gone, cannot find any aftermarket balljoints, even the dealer just shakes his head
