popping in front end 98 xlt 5.0

[white_shadow]

im guessing its just time for ball joints and tie rods. truck has 166k on it, im sure they are original. suggestions? i just replaced the shocks and sway bar end links.


edit: im looking at rock auto, what exactly do i need? im guessing the lowers ball joints are the same left/right? the uppers are different left/right?

edit2: does the forum get a discount from rock auto ?

 

[FordGT55]

The lower balljoints are the same on both sides. The uppers are not serviceable unless you have updated control arms. So they need to be replaced and you have the option on the right side to do an updated single arm or just the ball joint portion on it but the left/driver side need the control arm replaced, also don't forget to get the adjusting bolts ordered when you order new control arms! I just did all my upper control arms, lower balljoints, and all tie rods 2 weeks ago and it was very noticeable ride change. I think there is a forum discount i just got one from rock auto from ordering from them and it expires in June. The code they sent me is 96795437281511

edit: Also make sure to get greaseable balljoints, upper control arm balljoints, and outter tie rod ends to extend their life!

 

[white_shadow]

The lower balljoints are the same on both sides. The uppers are not serviceable unless you have updated control arms. So they need to be replaced and you have the option on the right side to do an updated single arm or just the ball joint portion on it but the left/driver side need the control arm replaced, also don't forget to get the adjusting bolts ordered when you order new control arms! I just did all my upper control arms, lower balljoints, and all tie rods 2 weeks ago and it was very noticeable ride change. I think there is a forum discount i just got one from rock auto from ordering from them and it expires in June. The code they sent me is 96795437281511

edit: Also make sure to get greaseable balljoints, upper control arm balljoints, and outter tie rod ends to extend their life!

how do i know if i got the updated control arms? or should i just cut to the chase and order the updated control arms? one side is a 2 piece and the other is a single. i dont remember which one is which, id have to go out and look.

 

[FordGT55]

My guess you have the stock control arms which dont have serviceable ball joints. You can "upgrade" to front control arms with serviceable ball joints. The right side/passenger side is the two piece control arm I went with the updated single piece control arm from MOOG. Personally I would just order both upper control arms as the bushings are probably worn out. These are the parts I ordered, all from rock auto, for my 2000 5.0 Ex so you may want to check if they fit your 98.

RAYBESTOS 4011748 (2) Outter tie rods
MOOG K80065 (2) Upper control arm alignment kit
MOOG K8708T (1) Control arm
MOOG K8695T (2) Lower ball joints

MOOG K80068 (1) Control arm
MOTORCRAFT MEF42 (2) Inner tie rods


Hope that helps!

 

[white_shadow]

My guess you have the stock control arms which dont have serviceable ball joints. You can "upgrade" to front control arms with serviceable ball joints. The right side/passenger side is the two piece control arm I went with the updated single piece control arm from MOOG. Personally I would just order both upper control arms as the bushings are probably worn out. These are the parts I ordered, all from rock auto, for my 2000 5.0 Ex so you may want to check if they fit your 98.

RAYBESTOS 4011748 (2) Outter tie rods
MOOG K80065 (2) Upper control arm alignment kit
MOOG K8708T (1) Control arm
MOOG K8695T (2) Lower ball joints

MOOG K80068 (1) Control arm
MOTORCRAFT MEF42 (2) Inner tie rods


Hope that helps!

parts are the same for my 98. how difficult is it going from the 2 piece control arm to the 1 piece? anything i should know? steering feels tight, so im thinking i will pass on the tie rods for now. ill have the truck up in the air sunday, so ill check everything out then. from what i am seeing, about 220$ shipped for everything.

 

[FordGT55]

The switch to one piece is really simple just unbolt the control arm slip in the new one. Mine was a little "bigger" than the old one I just gave it a few taps with the hammer and it slid right in with no further issues. The control arms are labeled Right and Left so you wont mix them up either. Was it $220 with the discount code I gave you? That seems pretty cheap, have the alignment bolts?

 

[white_shadow]

The switch to one piece is really simple just unbolt the control arm slip in the new one. Mine was a little "bigger" than the old one I just gave it a few taps with the hammer and it slid right in with no further issues. The control arms are labeled Right and Left so you wont mix them up either. Was it $220 with the discount code I gave you? That seems pretty cheap, have the alignment bolts?

alignment bolts, yes. i just used a code i found through google. i didnt add the tie rods, im thinking that they are still good, ill know more this weekend though. i might be adding them to the order. and what did you tap to make it fit? the control arm itself or the mount on the truck?

the code is worth 5%, same as the one i found

 

[FordGT55]

I just tapped the control arm itself. it's a solid piece of metal no worries on damaging it. When I did mine I noticed my wheel bearings also need replaced as they grind a little when they were turned by hand. If I had known before hand they were bad I would've replaced them at that time as it would have been really easy to so make sure to check those too. The best way to check ball joints on trucks / SUVs is to jack the truck up by the control arm and use a large pry bar and put it under the tire and pry the wheel to see if there is play (takes two people, one to look at the ball joints and one to pry).

 

[white_shadow]

I just tapped the control arm itself. it's a solid piece of metal no worries on damaging it. When I did mine I noticed my wheel bearings also need replaced as they grind a little when they were turned by hand. If I had known before hand they were bad I would've replaced them at that time as it would have been really easy to so make sure to check those too. The best way to check ball joints on trucks / SUVs is to jack the truck up by the control arm and use a large pry bar and put it under the tire and pry the wheel to see if there is play (takes two people, one to look at the ball joints and one to pry).

went to have the alignment checked. ball joints are shot, tie rods are good. alignment guy said the wheel bearings have a little play in them, so i should think about them. nothing severe, just common wear with 167k miles on them since i will have everything apart, that would be the time to do it all. time to go spend some money!

 

[windsors03cobra]

Truck deserves it after those miles, and lots of life left in it. Best Exploder ever built IMO altho the new Taurus based Sploders do look tight for 45 grand ?!#$!

 

[1Aauto]

We carry the lower ball joints for your Ford Explorer and also the upper control arms. Here's a link to the site if you would like to take a look at them.

Explorer Ball Joint

 

[white_shadow]

We carry the lower ball joints for your Ford Explorer and also the upper control arms. Here's a link to the site if you would like to take a look at them.

Explorer Ball Joint

i dont see the single UCA for passenger side. are these joints greaseable?

 

[FordGT55]

i dont see the single UCA for passenger side. are these joints greaseable?

Thought I'd help. They have the single design but from what I see they are not greaseable but Tony may be able to tell you for sure as I'm going off pictures. Though the price for two upper control arms both single piece and two lower ball joints for $110 total is a steal!

 

[white_shadow]

Thought I'd help. They have the single design but from what I see they are not greaseable but Tony may be able to tell you for sure as I'm going off pictures. Though the price for two upper control arms both single piece and two lower ball joints for $110 total is a steal!

i didnt see the single design. ill look again. i dont know if its moog quality, but if they last a few years ill be good with it.


also, im wondering if the now UCA's come with new bushings. if i go stay the 2 piece ( i really dont care, just wanted to go single ) im wanting new bushings all the way around. also im needed new alignment bolts, im not seeing those

 

[FordGT55]

The new uppers will come with new bushings as that's what the alignment bolts go through. But if you stay with the two piece on the front right then both pieces need replaced to get new bushings so you might as well do the one piece. And moog is considered the best(I think) and you'd have to get motorcraft to match the quality I personally believe.