1996 Ford F-150?

Question

Has anyone ever heard of this. I am looking at a 1996 F-150 4X4 the truck seems to pull to the right while I was test driving it. I took the truck to a local garge to have it looked at with the owner because I nevered owned a Ford before and wanted to put this on a lift to get a good look at the under body!! While I was checking the ball joints I can't get any play in the ball joints but the mechanic stated that Fords ball joints don't useually go loose and that they normally gauled up. Now being used to owning Chevy's for years I have never really heard of this. And to me when a ball joint goes bad there is usually play in it right?

Answer 1

Stay away from that man, Yes Ford ball joints will have play if they go bad, If they are good and no play then have the radius arm bushings checked. If they wear out then it can cause the truck to pull. If they are good then a total alignment which will include the steering knuckle bushing to be replaced to get the correct caster in the front end. You might want to swap the front tires left to right and see if it goes away or pulls the other way to see if the belt is damaged in the tires and yes it is ok to do this, a lot of people tell you that you can't but yes you can.

Answer 2

Yes your right, take to a different shop a ball joint is a ball joint , is the vehicle 4x4 ? if it is you have kink pins if not it has a-arms with two ball joints(upper and lower) and they need to really know how to check for bad ball joints you are correct ,could be the a-arm bushings and the are like a Chevy very similar and the twin I beam was stopped in 1995 some models were slipped by with I beams, but all and all there just like your old Chevy, my two fords truck have the last twin I beam's and have a good front end shop look at it on a front end aliment machine, they can with the weight on the vehicle check the vehicle, in most cases must have the weight of the vehicle on em to check em not in all case but on this machine you will see the play if any it will not be able to get a alignment , because to much play and or it could be frozen and many shop that I have found today are inadequate for proper diagnoeses, they just want to sell parts, even if they don't know you sound to me you very familiar with vehicle and don't let anyone tell you different , just find the right shop get it properly diagnosed , great question take care, hop you can get it fixed where you live,

Answer 3

gauling will normally be caused by friction, the friction will usually cause a loose joint after a while...

I've been working on them for a long time, and usually if people feel any kind of movement, they say ball joints (I've retightened more wheel bearings than anything to fix)... Ball joints do where out.. some more than others but the Fords are about as bad as any truck being used and abused for joints.. the rubber used in the arms to hold the axle in place wear out as much or a little more than the joints...

But depending upon the abuse.. almost all will fail about the same amount of time

Answer 4

That mech, is an IDIOT. Ball joints can gaull up, but due to getting dirt and grit in there. But they will get loose, and pop, lik any other ball joint. Done quite a few of these where I used to work at. Usually a pulling to a certain direction, is an alignment issue, or could be low tire air pressure on one tire.

Answer 5

Fords are NOTORIOUS for front end problems, especially the axles, ball joints, etc. I've owned several fords, and each one was in the shop sometimes three times a year to have the grease repacked in the joints. Don't buy the truck, seriously, stick to chevy or get a japanese truck (they don't have problems!)

Answer 6

Fords are NOTORIOUS for front end problems, especially the axles, ball joints, etc. I've owned several fords, and each one was in the shop sometimes three times a year to have the grease repacked in the joints. Don't buy the truck, seriously, stick to chevy or get a japanese truck (they don't have problems!) that rarley homie

Answer 7

New one on me. I have had 3 different Ford pick-ups 88,91 and currently a 95 and never experienced any front end trouble that wasn't normal with miles.

Answer 8

I have a 1996 ford f150 Eddie Bauer, oh my God , it's the best vehicle.

Answer 9

the mechanic is an idiot. the truck however has been a good one. the pulling to one side could be as simple as air pressure in the tires not being equal.

Answer 10

THE BALL JOINT WILL GET PLAY IN IT NO MATTER WHO MAKES IT. FORD CHEVY DODGE. IT DOSNT MATTER.YHE PULLING TO ONE SIDE SOUNDS LIKE A BRAKE PAD STICKING OR LOW TIRE