That all too familiar problem has cropped up on my 2001 F-150 4x4 off-road, the ball joints are starting to pop. This happens especially when cornering and when hitting rough spots in the road. I haven't jacked the truck up yet to determine upper/lower or left or right, but I am confident that is what it is. The truck has close to 90K on it, so I am assuming other components are starting to wear also (eg. inner/outer tie rod ends, pitman arm, etc...) Reading through some of the threads, I seen where someone bought a "front end kit" for these trucks. It was composed of all MOOG parts that came in one kit (or so it seemed). I went to two local parts stores (Carquest and Auto Value), and inquired about the kit. I was told they were unaware of a "front end kit", but could get all the components seperately. That totalled up to a tighty sum of money. Does anyone know of a company that sells a kit such as that, and if the kit contains quality parts? Any info would be appreciated.

 

People sell the front end kits on Ebay...but they arent MOOG.

 

I am doing the same set up on my truck right now and Bobby is right the kits on Ebay arent moog kits some are american made but by some company that I haven't heard of. I priced out doing both the upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends on both sides and a new Idler and Pitman arm and it came out to about 500 bucks from summit racing. All of the parts are MOOG which I like. And everyone has there opinion on what to use and not to use. But I think there isn't a good kit you just need to figure out which components you need and do it that way.

 

I also forgot if you need the list of the moog part numbers from summit i still have them all. If that helps you get an idea.

 

i bought a kit off ebay from a co. in canada. the parts look like good quality, grease fittings and stuff. i havent installed them yet so i cant tell for sure. the co was good to deal with and if you need ill try to dig out my paperwork.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll check e-bay and see what they have. Probably get the front end of the truck off the ground this weekend and see what exactly is going on. I'll have to make some decisions from there.

 

Motorcraft, Motorcraft, Motorcraft!!!! The "affordable" aftermarket by and large does not compare to Motorcraft parts in any way. That applies to everything from hubs, windshield wipers, starters, alternators, brake pads, fuel pumps, PCV valves, ball joints, etc. I've seen it too much now.

Only the high-end/performance aftermarket equals or sometimes surpasses Motorcraft parts, but even then there are usually other compromises like price.

On a front end job, because it is a pretty labor intensive job, don't cheap out.

 

I personally Wouldnt buy motorcraft parts for front end components, for the same price you could get MOOG. The main reason i wont buy OEM is because of no zerk fittings...

 

You would have to pay me to install any Moog component on my truck. Moog can't even make a coil spring that doesn't sag, so I can't say I'd put my life in the "hands" of their ball joints. Just because a joint is greasable doesn't mean it is better or will even last as long.

 

I have never heard anything bad about MOOG.

 

I have, I've experienced it.

 

Can I ask what happened. Not to be nosey but I am getting ready to change out everything on my truck and I want to get as many opinions as I can.