the alignment didnt go so well

[bubbalewski]

help yall i went to get my tires put on today and they look great.. ill post a link to pics once i upload them.. but i also told them to align it.. so i get a call and they tell me my ball joints are bad, both top and bottom, and that there was no way possible for them to align it with this.. so the guy quoted my 680 out the door with labor and parts for the ball joints and said it was about a 6 hour job because the top ball joints are hardest because you have to take the whole, i forgot what he called it out.. anyone got any suggestions where to get good ball joints for a good price and if the job can be done on my own or with some help? thanks i appreciate..

 

[snoborder42]

you can do it yourself, it will require some special tools, time and probably a manual to help you along. I'm sure that there is a thread on here somewhere that decribes replacing the ball joints.

 

[410Fortune]

also first you should check to see if they really are bad.
Many shops will tell everyone everything is bad so they can sell more parts and make more $$$, since most people just take their word for it.

 

[Diddy74]

First inspect yourself for ball joint wear, with the front lifted and wheels up grab the tires at the 12 and 6 oclock posistion and check for play. Then at 9 and 3 for the tie rods. Basically the wheels shouldnt have any lateral movement other than from steering input. If they are bad you can get replacement parts cheap online and do them yourself with some rental tools from auto zone. He was correct in telling you the upper control arm assembly would have to be replaced. Why Ford designed it that way who knows? oh yeah $$$