replaced balljoints..... | Ford Explorer Forums

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replaced balljoints.....

GooseR

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February 24, 2004
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City, State
Va Beach, VA
Year, Model & Trim Level
'98 XLT
ok, i just finished replacing my ballljoints today, however, it starts to wobble at like 30, and increases by speed, but hardly does. then when i hit like 45-53 its wobbles like crazy then stops to a mellow wobble

-Edit-
 



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bump b/c of edit
 






Which ones did you replace? Upper or lowers? Also did you get an alignment?
 






lowers and no.. b.c i didnt want it to do the same after and then just get another alignment after i replaced the tops..
 






You shouldn't need an alignment after changing just the lowers. However make sure everything is tightened down, and make youre the wheels are tightened also. Did you remove the tie rod end off the spindle?
 






etc said:
You shouldn't need an alignment after changing just the lowers. However make sure everything is tightened down, and make youre the wheels are tightened also. Did you remove the tie rod end off the spindle?

If you have alot of play in the old set I would..
 






etc said:
Did you remove the tie rod end off the spindle?

yes. and i tightened and retightened everything... i took the tire rod off the spindle but did not move the placement of the fitting.

Blee1099 said:
If you have alot of play in the old set I would..

i replaced the Balljoints b/c it was wobbling to begin with.
 






If you plan on changing the upper balljoints, I'd change them out and get an alignment. Check your wheel bearings also and repack or replace them if needed.
 






etc said:
If you plan on changing the upper balljoints, I'd change them out and get an alignment. Check your wheel bearings also and repack or replace them if needed.

Repacked them when i put the rotor back on. Well, should i just replace them and get aligned or get alignment and hope it was that? and where can i get good deals on uppers?
 






Got an even cheaper fix that "MIGHT" solve your problem, when i replaced my ball joints and tie rod ends i got a horrid vibration too. i went and got it aligned and it seemed to get worse so i brought it back (pretty po-ed) and they told me i need a new power steering rack. I called my friend whos a mechanic and he said "SOME" x's had this problem with some valves (somewhere in steering). they are one way valves and when you have the truck off and you move the wheels back and forth it lets fluid the wrong way into the valves, causing a terrible shudder. The fix for me was simple, turn the truck on and turn the wheels, lock to lock, to get the fluid out. Gd Lck hope this helps ;)
 






ExplorerSportNu said:
Got an even cheaper fix that "MIGHT" solve your problem, when i replaced mturn the truck on and turn the wheels, lock to lock, to get the fluid out. ;)

when you say lock to lock, what do you mean? all the way to one side, hold, then all the way to the other side, hold.?
 






Yup start her up turn all the way too where you can't turn no more hold for a second and turn the other way and do the same.
 






ExplorerSportNu said:
Got an even cheaper fix that "MIGHT" solve your problem, when i replaced my ball joints and tie rod ends i got a horrid vibration too. i went and got it aligned and it seemed to get worse so i brought it back (pretty po-ed) and they told me i need a new power steering rack. I called my friend whos a mechanic and he said "SOME" x's had this problem with some valves (somewhere in steering). they are one way valves and when you have the truck off and you move the wheels back and forth it lets fluid the wrong way into the valves, causing a terrible shudder. The fix for me was simple, turn the truck on and turn the wheels, lock to lock, to get the fluid out. Gd Lck hope this helps ;)

ok, i tried it, took it around the block, and, nothing, same wobble. thanks thought! any other thoughts?!
 






It might be the bushings, I would check this next if you haven't already.
 






Uppers are gonna run you about $100-$150 per side (I'm assuming this is the first time replacing). I got mine from carquest for i think $125 per side, I've seen people claiming prices as low as $87. Check rockauto.com, call up autozone/pepboys/discount also. If you don't want drop that cash yet, then get the $30 bucks for the aligment and hope it either goes away, or the mechanics tell you whats up.
 






Did you check the rotors? If they are warped just a tiny bit it will shake and vibrate like crazy...
 






BBQ_HotDogs said:
Did you check the rotors? If they are warped just a tiny bit it will shake and vibrate like crazy...

havent checked them, guess ill do it tomorrow
 






vibration from rotors would only show when braking. Warped rotors will not play an affect. It could be the tires. Run the truck up to when the wobble stops, and then throw it into Neutral and let it coast down and see if wobbles during a specific speed range. My parents car does it now from 45-55. It also does it bad on acceleration. Hopefully my dad will take it back to the tire place and tell them a thing or two. Good luck

-Drew
 






ok, i will do that on the highway when i go to sears to replace something. One thing i noticed when i looked at my receipt, it said i had a 1998 Ford Expedition. when i really have an explorer.. Would that be the problem?!
 



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No thats not a problem, I have a ford x expedition on a 95 sport but I didn't think that they had them on later years, if this is the case, the expedition usually only means a special trim package and few other features, does it say expedition beneath or on the side of your explorer emblem in the back on the hatch? If not I don't think this is the same thing.
 






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