Lower Ball Joints

Hello, I just wanted to ask if there are any warning or signs of lower ball joint failure, or do they just go? If they don't show symptoms of anything should I replace them anyway? Or should I wait until they start having symptoms of failure? And what do they usually do before they fail?

 

You might hear a clunking sound when you 1st start reversing from the front end. You can check if they have any play by jacking the truck up and prying around it with a crowbar.

Overall we try to change them out every 100k miles no matter what and always OEM.

 

There’s a thread on here with 20+ pages of LBJ failure pics.

Probably half the people in those posts had zero symptoms ahead of time.

100k is conservative lifespan, LBJ are a wear item, and never use anything except OEM LBJ. The majority of pics on that 20+ page thread are aftermarket LBJs failing, some with as few as 5,000 miles on them.

 

Like both gentlemen have already stated, OEM LBJs are a wear item that should be replaced by mileage or time.....10yrs or 100k miles. I bought a 2005 FGT one year ago and my LBJ failed in January @ 145k miles and 17yrs. I only had a subtle wandering sensation in the lead up to the failure. No noise or vibration. Looking back at photos when I purchased it, there was indication of leaking grease but I didn't immediately recognize this. Since you are obviously thinking about this, just change them. I wish I would have.

 

Change them at the same time you do the timing belt so that they are on the same schedule.

 

OEM LBJ for shure and new OEM bolts also