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Ball joints?

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Old May 30, 2012 | 10:26 PM
  #1  
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modman42
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Default Ball joints?

Is it normal for ball joints to go at 30000 miles on a 2008 gt? It is covered under my service plan but it just seams premature for them to go. At least I am not out of pocket for the repair.
Old May 31, 2012 | 07:24 AM
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They shouldn't, but I've read about a few having to replace theirs. Most go with Moog ball joints, because they are bullet proof.

I think mine might be going bad. I hit the same bump in my neighborhood and lately the front end feels looser, makes more noise when hitting the bump at slow speed. I might just replace my whole lower control arms with gt500 arms. They come with ball joints installed.
Old Jun 10, 2012 | 12:43 AM
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Originally Posted by moosestang
They shouldn't, but I've read about a few having to replace theirs. Most go with Moog ball joints, because they are bullet proof.

I think mine might be going bad. I hit the same bump in my neighborhood and lately the front end feels looser, makes more noise when hitting the bump at slow speed. I might just replace my whole lower control arms with gt500 arms. They come with ball joints installed.

Doing a search I found this thread. I have had the dreaded front end clunk for almost two years now. I absolutely hate it too. I installed some GT500 strut mounts but it did not remove the noise. For the $250 landed cost I am willing to try the GT500 front LCA's. I will update the thread when they have been installed.
Old Jun 10, 2012 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by moosestang
I might just replace my whole lower control arms with gt500 arms. They come with ball joints installed.
Also, when you replace the Lower Control Arm assemblies you also get new LCA bushings. These bushings can also be problematic, so you are killing 2 birds with one stone.
Old Jun 10, 2012 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Old Mustanger
Also, when you replace the Lower Control Arm assemblies you also get new LCA bushings. These bushings can also be problematic, so you are killing 2 birds with one stone.
Works for me. I am so tired of the clunking......please let this fix it.
Old Jun 11, 2012 | 07:31 AM
  #6  
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Mine went at 30K. Very common
Old Jun 11, 2012 | 08:23 AM
  #7  
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One side went on mine, and I replaced them this weekend with the GT500 pieces.

Need to get an alignment to fix the wheel being off, but so far so good. Car feels might tighter in the steering department.
Old Jun 11, 2012 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by S197GT07
One side went on mine, and I replaced them this weekend with the GT500 pieces.

Need to get an alignment to fix the wheel being off, but so far so good. Car feels might tighter in the steering department.
Did you reuse the stock hardware?
Old Jun 11, 2012 | 12:17 PM
  #9  
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Yup. Locktite on the ball joint pinch bolt, I'll call it, and all is well.
Old Jun 11, 2012 | 03:05 PM
  #10  
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I too was looking at FRPP front lowers for the same reason. Ford revised the ball joint stud thickness (don't recall the TSB) for late 08+ models. Mine was before the revamp so I got the smaller (older) diameter. For the Front's you reuse the old hardware. It's the rear LCA that you get (or are supposed to use) new hardware.



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