I noticed today that the rubber boots on the front control arms are both torn. Is this an easy part to replace yourself or is it pretty involved and require special tools?
Are there any recommendations when replacing these that would improve the ride while I'm at it?
My suspension is stock, should I go back with stock parts or aftermarket?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
JD
Last edited by jdaniels138; 09-03-2010 at 06:09 PM.
what control arm boots? the balljoint boots?
Yeah mine also ripped on the uppers. Replaced them both and had the truck re-aligned.
Yeap!!!! have the same issue on mine.....replace and align.
did you guys do this yourself? about how long does this take? is it a PITA?
as they said, looks like the upper ball joint boots. so did you just replace the ball joints?
one more question, did you get the OEM parts or aftermarket? If aftermarket, which?
JD
Last edited by jdaniels138; 09-03-2010 at 06:09 PM.
Depends on how you plan on replacing them. I went to good old Harbor Freight got me El Cheapo ball joint press set and was done in no time. I got the 4-Wheel drive kit which has a few more press cups in it. Didn't take much time at all. Longest time was in getting the spindle to let go of the balljoints. Also make sure to get the greasable kind for the future.
It takes about 2 hours to do uppers and lowers. The upper control arm will comes as an assembly with the ball joint already pressed in. The lower ball joint will have to be pound or pressed out and a new one pressed in. You might as well do all 4 while you have the knuckles apart. New wheel bearings and seals might also be an idea since that will be apart as well. Aftermarket will work and be cheaper than stock...Moog or Spicer are some good joints to use (Autozone and Discount).
If you want to replace the lowers you will need a ball joint press. Mine looked good. I replace the uppers with ones from Ford because the aftermarket ones were bare metal and about the same price. Ford uppers were black powdercoat
Upper ball joints cannot be replaced. As said ^^^ the upper ball joint and control arm come as an assembly. Best to replace with XRF on both sides at same time (both upper/lower) ... like doing shocks.
XRF is best available (better than Spicer or Moog). Given time/cost/tools needed? ... stock FoMoCo is not even worth second thought of consideration.
my factory uppers lasted 7 years. how much are the xrf and where can you get them?Originally Posted by '02 H-D #677
got it
http://www.xrfchassis.com/parts-controlarms.htm
How much are the uppers?
Last edited by musturbo; 09-07-2010 at 08:21 PM.
got my lowers replaced with moog joints and aling new tires i think i need shocks
I got them directly from XRF in Michigan. The guy who helped me was named Mark. The lower ball joints (FA2100) were $20.74 each. The upper right CA and ball joint (FA4065) and upper left CA and ball joint (FA4064) were $79.64 each. Shipping via FedEx ground was $21.
I have to backup the XRF recomendation myself
What about Raybestos? Heard they were pretty good as well. Also need to this to my truck.
My upper control arm boots are toast.
After reading the above posts...
I'm probably going to be placing an order with XRF
The lower ball joints (FA2100) $21 each
The upper right.CA and ball joint (FA4065) $80 each
The upper left...CA and ball joint (FA4064) $80 each
Replace and align. The insides are shot on my two front tires.
Any probs with alignment I should be aware of?
Any thoughts?
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote