Loose ball joints.

[Matt Johnson]

I was told by an independent during a tire install and front end alignment a few months ago that the ball joints were "weak" and, therefore the indie would not guarantee the alignment. I told them to go ahead and do it. Alignment still seems fine.

So cut to last week when the car was at the dealer for oil change and some other little issues (sticky driver's side power window switch among them - $250 to replace and part backordered until late October). I had them inspect the ball joints. They said they were "loose" and to fix required many parts from Ford, some of which had been updated since 2003.

Total cost to repair: $2295.00.

I said, "No, Thanks."

Ford Quality continues its downward slope...

PS - On a positive note, I had them grease the f out of my front sway bar and the Conestoga Wagon sound effects I've been getting when I went over even the slightest of bumps, turning heads at every corner, is gone.

[larryo340]

Exactly what did the dealer tell you they needed to replace. I worked in FORD service for along time and that sounds very fishy.:confused:

[fastblackmerc]

Exactly what did the dealer tell you they needed to replace. I worked in FORD service for along time and that sounds very fishy.:confused:

So does his first trip to the independent place....

[Matt Johnson]

So does his first trip to the independent place....

How so? I mean, they had nothing to gain by telling me this other than they couldn't guarantee the alignment would hold... They weren't trying to get me to pay them to fix it, that's for sure. And... the alignment seems to be holding fine.

FORD didn't give me the rundown of the parts, but they said there were "many parts" that would need replacement. That seems consistent with another thread on the subject btw.

It sounded like Ford had identified a problem and, consequently, perhaps there were now more parts that would need to be replaced. Like an acknowledged problem on the car that never got a TSB because there was no safety issue and not enough customers complained -- similar to an issue with the front end on the 07 Mustang - the clunking noise that Ford acknowledged but wouldn't warranty and waited until 08 to upgrade the parts found to cause the problem.)

Who knows...

I agree that the cost is ridiculous and, since it wasn't suggested that I make the "repair" for any safety or performance reasons, etc., I elected not to have them do the work. I didn't even ask any more questions.

But, if two different places told me basically the same thing... why is that "fishy"? Makes it less fishy to me that there's an actual issue and that they are, in fact, "loose"...

[larryo340]

But, if two different places told me basically the same thing... why is that "fishy"? Makes it less fishy to me that there's an actual issue and that they are, in fact, "loose"...

What is fishy to me is the total cost from FORD, by the way...what is the mileage on the car?

[Matt Johnson]

What is fishy to me is the total cost from FORD, by the way...what is the mileage on the car?

48,000. Mostly city miles.

[fastblackmerc]

How so? I mean, they had nothing to gain by telling me this other than they couldn't guarantee the alignment would hold... They weren't trying to get me to pay them to fix it, that's for sure. And... the alignment seems to be holding fine.

FORD didn't give me the rundown of the parts, but they said there were "many parts" that would need replacement. That seems consistent with another thread on the subject btw.

It sounded like Ford had identified a problem and, consequently, perhaps there were now more parts that would need to be replaced. Like an acknowledged problem on the car that never got a TSB because there was no safety issue and not enough customers complained -- similar to an issue with the front end on the 07 Mustang - the clunking noise that Ford acknowledged but wouldn't warranty and waited until 08 to upgrade the parts found to cause the problem.)

Who knows...

I agree that the cost is ridiculous and, since it wasn't suggested that I make the "repair" for any safety or performance reasons, etc., I elected not to have them do the work. I didn't even ask any more questions.

But, if two different places told me basically the same thing... why is that "fishy"? Makes it less fishy to me that there's an actual issue and that they are, in fact, "loose"...

The original place wanted to make money off of you. Plain & simple. If the alignment is holding fine then your ball joints aren't bad. Most respectable places won't do an alignment if the ball joints were really bad.

Try this test. Jack up your car enough to get one front wheel off the ground. Stick a long 2x4 under the wheel and pull up on the 2x4, if there isn't alot of up & down movement then your ball joints are OK. Also try moving the wheel up & down, side to side. There may be a small amount of pay which is normal. Of course be careful doing this.

I don't recall anyone on this board having ball joints replaced.

[TooManyFords]

similar to an issue with the front end on the 07 Mustang - the clunking noise that Ford acknowledged but wouldn't warranty and waited until 08 to upgrade the parts found to cause the problem.)

Thread detour alert.

The Mustang clunk TSB for 2005-2007 Mustangs is TSB 07-18-2

:D

john

[larryo340]

Straight from the factory manual:
Ball Joint Inspection — Backlash

file:///C:/TSO/tsocache/LARRY-PC_18988/S3A~us~en~file=ani_caut.gif~ge n~ref.gif WARNING: The electrical power to the air suspension system must be shut off prior to hoisting, jacking or towing an air suspension vehicle. This can be accomplished by turning off the air suspension switch located in the luggage compartment. Failure to do so can result in unexpected inflation or deflation of the air springs, which can result in shifting of the vehicle during these operations.
Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Section 100-02 (file:///C:/TSO/tsocache/LARRY-PC_18988/S3A~us~en~leftside=S3AS020L.ht m&rightside=S3AS020R.htm&market=us&lang=en~gen~2col.htm).
Inspect the ball joint boots for tears. If torn, install a new arm as necessary. For additional information, refer to Section 204-01 (file:///C:/TSO/tsocache/LARRY-PC_18988/S3A~us~en~leftside=S3AS410L.ht m&rightside=S3AS410R.htm&market=us&lang=en~gen~2col.htm).
Prior to inspecting the ball joints for lateral backlash and end play, inspect the wheel bearings. For additional information, refer to Wheel Bearing Inspection (file:///C:/TSO/tsocache/LARRY-PC_18988/S3A~us~en~file=S3A40004.htm~ge n~ref.htm)in this section.
Using safety stands, support the front suspension lower arms.
While an assistant pushes and pulls equally on the top and bottom of the tire, observe any relative lateral backlash between the upper and lower arms and the wheel knuckle. If backlash is evident, a new upper or lower arm must be installed. For additional information, refer to Section 204-01 (file:///C:/TSO/tsocache/LARRY-PC_18988/S3A~us~en~leftside=S3AS410L.ht m&rightside=S3AS410R.htm&market=us&lang=en~gen~2col.htm).
While an assistant pries upwards on the bottom of the tire, observe any relative end play between the upper and lower arms and the wheel knuckle. If end play is evident, a new upper or lower arm must be installed. For additional information, refer to Section 204-01 (file:///C:/TSO/tsocache/LARRY-PC_18988/S3A~us~en~leftside=S3AS410L.ht m&rightside=S3AS410R.htm&market=us&lang=en~gen~2col.htm).
Remove the safety stands.
Lower the vehicle.