How to Replace a Ball Joint in a 1993 F-150 Truck

The ball joints on the F-150 pickup truck are part of the suspension system. They are subject to a great deal of stress and will wear to a point that you need to replace them. There is no specific period in which to replace the ball joint, since it depends entirely on how you use the truck. An average person can change the ball joints in about two hours. All of the Ford F-150 trucks for this model year use upper and lower ball joints. Removal of the upper and lower ball joints is the basis for this instruction.

Instructions

1

Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Ford F-150. Raise one side of the front of the truck using an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the truck near the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Lower the automobile jack so that the truck is resting on the jack stand. Move the automobile jack to the other side of the truck and repeat the process so that the truck is now resting on the jack stands.

2

Loosen the lug nuts on both front wheels of the F-150 and remove them. Remove the brake calipers from the wheel assemblies and secure them to the front struts using wire ties. Do not allow the calipers to hang by the brake hoses or you will damage them. Leave the brake hoses connected to the caliper. Pull the brake rotors off the wheel spindles. Remove the inner bearing cones and seals from both spindles. Discard the seals. You will use new ones on reassembly.

3

Remove the dust shields from the wheel assemblies using a socket and ratchet. Disconnect the steering linkage from the spindle arm using a tie rod tool to assist you. Remove the cotter pins from the upper and lower ball joints on both wheels using a pair of pliers. Discard the cotter pins. Remove the nut from the upper ball joints using a socket and ratchet. Loosen but do not remove the nut from the lower ball joints using a socket and ratchet.

4

Tap the side of the spindle with a rubber mallet or similar tool to break the ball joint loose from the spindle. Remove the snap ring from the ball joint using pliers. Remove the upper ball joint using the C-frame assembly to press the ball joint from the control arm. Turn the forcing screw clockwise until the ball joint comes loose. Repeat the procedure to remove the lower ball joint. Always remove the upper ball joint first.

5

Place the lower ball joint into the control arm. Use the C-frame assembly to press the ball joint into place. Install a snap ring to secure the ball joint using the pliers. Repeat the procedure on the upper ball joint. Connect the ball joints to the wheel spindle. Install the castellated nuts on the lower ball joint studs and partially tighten them with the torque wrench to 35 foot-pounds. Connect the camber adapter to the upper ball joint stud, making sure it is properly aligned.

6

Install the upper ball joint nut and torque to 110 to140 foot-pounds with the torque wrench. Make sure the hole for the cotter pin lines up. If it does not, tighten the nut further until it does. Insert the cotter pin and spread it open using the pliers. Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 110 to 140 foot-pounds using the torque wrench. Continue to tighten the nut until the hole for the cotter pin lines up. Insert a cotter pin and spread it open using a pair of pliers.

7

Pack the bearing cones with wheel grease. Install the bearing cones and seals. Install the wheel hub and rotor to the wheel assemblies. Place the brake caliper on the mounting cradle. Tighten the retaining pins using a socket and ratchet. Connect the steering linkage. Tighten the nut using a torque wrench to 70 to 100 foot-pounds. Turn the nut enough after it is tight to allow for a new cotter pin. Insert the cotter pin and spread it open using the pliers.

8

Install the wheels on the F-150 and tighten the lug nuts using a lug wrench. Raise one side of the truck using the automobile jack. Remove the jack stand from under the F-150 and lower the truck to the ground. Raise the other side of the truck with the automobile jack. Remove the jack stand and lower the truck to the ground. The truck may need a front end alignment after this project is complete.