ball joints and steering links

The factory front suspension uses cheap, non-greaseable ball joints and steering joints.  There has been a TSB issued regarding Gen 2 tie rod end failures.

When I switched over the DJM control arms, I was happy to discover that everything was greaseable.  But when I switched back to the stock arms, I just could not go back to the stock joints.  Moog to the rescue.

Moog makes very high quality, greaseable ball joints and steering joints for the F150.  They come complete with new hardware and quality dust boots.  The stock upper control arm ball joints cannot be replaced, so Moog makes an entire replacement control arm (with replaceable ball joints).

It's hard to get excited about ball joints and such, but the Moog pieces are awesome.  They have double-socket bearings that are designed so that the old grease is forced out each time they are lubed.  They have a beautiful finish, thick high quality boots, and come with all new hardware.

Here is a comparison of stock and Moog lower ball joints:

The Moog joint is beefier in every way.

Here are the Moog part numbers and pricing from Rock Auto:

  part # $ # required
RH upper control arm K8728t 62 1
LH upper control arm K8726t 65 1
lower ball joints K8695T 28 2
RH inner tie rod ES3364T 26 1
LH inner tie rod ES3365T 26 1
RH outer tie rod ES3367T 28 1
LH outer tie rod ES3366T 28 1
adjusting sleeves ES3368S 13 2
       
Pittman Arm K8700 32 ?
Idler arm (2.48") K8739T 67 ?
Idler arm (3.43") K8747 75 ?

 

Spicer apparently makes even higher-quality parts, but I haven't found the part numbers or where to purchase them.  If you have this info, please send it to me.

A useful, but oversimplified set of videos on ball joint replacement is here.

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© 05/06/2009 Tim Skelton