I wanted to add this to the recent "revived" thread about the alignment fix on Fords.....but can't find it now.I'm sad and mad. I took my E450 C to a shop that I thought was honest and competent for the front end fix. Maybe only competent.They called this morning saying I needed a FULL set of ball joints, upper and lower. It is about 7 years old and has 45,xxx miles on it.Another tire place had previously done a quick inspection and found nothing loose.Their estimated total bill was $1,300. Now it MAY need the ball joints but that is the oldest scam in the book and the average consumer has no way to know if they are telling the truth or not.Now I have to make some phone calls looking for another place that is familiar with the problem.So the question is: Is it really common to need ball joints at less than 50,000 miles on an E450.....that has spent all of it's life in Florida ?? I'm very skeptical.

That's not many miles at all but I searched a little and did notice two issues. One issue is that they appear to NOT have grease fittings so 45,000 is entirely possible. Number two is that it may not be adjusted correctly because Ford sets the chassis when built and then the RV manufacturer builds on it and the alignment specs change. I also noticed mention of the Ford design not having enough adjustment so good repair shops will instal an alignment kit when replacing the ball joints. They mentioned not having Ford parts installed because they wont have grease fittings.You may find it cheaper if you shop around but the key issue is to have someone who is good at this and honest.One findMoreNon adjustable top sleeves

rjxj wrote:That's not many miles at allThanks for taking the time to reply.I already knew all of that other stuff.....as a result of reading the previous threads but none of them mentioned having to replace suspension parts, that I remember anyway.

I was told by a truck alignment shop that the "long" Ford Class C's wear out front suspension parts, sometimes as early as 20,000 miles. OK, Grain of Salt. Service manager at a big RV rental outfit said the Fords "have suspension issues" but did not tell me what he saw them to be. Have you weighed the coach? The long-wheelbase ones can load the front axle to or near its max. It might be cheaper to get a "take-off" axle assembly from an outfit like Quigley in PA or U-Joint in NC. See Deprived's current thread. All this of course "IF" it needs the ball joints. Maybe maybe not, but the need IS within the realm of possibility.

I recently had service done, tranny oil, radiator flush and serpentine. 2007 with 13000mi. Talked to mechanic personally, it's good to have a diesel mechanic school and electrical mechanic with apprenticeship in my back pocket. I asked about suspension particularly the ball joints, no zerks. His take was 50-60k miles and depending on the type of miles, load etc. If I had 45k on mine and had the money I would have them done, but I think 1300 is a bit much. Hope that helps.

quingus wrote: but I think 1300 is a bit much. Hope that helps.It helps reinforce what I was already thinking.But not sure it helps decide what to do next. ;)A different shop will have it later today and we'll see what they have to say.

E450 ball joints during alignment | Good Sam Community

Rolin
Explorer
Jul 14, 2015
We purchased our E450 based 26ft motorhome used (2007) with 16K mles. Took it to a well regarded shop who do a lot of motorhomes for a front end alignment. They indicated the ball joints needed replacement suggested contacting the company we purchased it from to see if they would cover the repair. The RV company agreed to pay for 1/2. The full cost was slightly over $1000.
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Jul 14, 2015
quingus wrote:
but I think 1300 is a bit much. Hope that helps.

It helps reinforce what I was already thinking.
But not sure it helps decide what to do next. ;)

A different shop will have it later today and we'll see what they have to say.
quingus
Explorer
Jul 14, 2015
I recently had service done, tranny oil, radiator flush and serpentine. 2007 with 13000mi. Talked to mechanic personally, it's good to have a diesel mechanic school and electrical mechanic with apprenticeship in my back pocket. I asked about suspension particularly the ball joints, no zerks. His take was 50-60k miles and depending on the type of miles, load etc. If I had 45k on mine and had the money I would have them done, but I think 1300 is a bit much. Hope that helps.
j-d
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2015
I was told by a truck alignment shop that the "long" Ford Class C's wear out front suspension parts, sometimes as early as 20,000 miles. OK, Grain of Salt. Service manager at a big RV rental outfit said the Fords "have suspension issues" but did not tell me what he saw them to be.

Have you weighed the coach? The long-wheelbase ones can load the front axle to or near its max.

It might be cheaper to get a "take-off" axle assembly from an outfit like Quigley in PA or U-Joint in NC. See Deprived's current thread.

All this of course "IF" it needs the ball joints. Maybe maybe not, but the need IS within the realm of possibility.
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Jul 13, 2015
rjxj wrote:
That's not many miles at all

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I already knew all of that other stuff.....as a result of reading the previous threads but none of them mentioned having to replace suspension parts, that I remember anyway.
azrving
Explorer
Jul 13, 2015
That's not many miles at all but I searched a little and did notice two issues. One issue is that they appear to NOT have grease fittings so 45,000 is entirely possible. Number two is that it may not be adjusted correctly because Ford sets the chassis when built and then the RV manufacturer builds on it and the alignment specs change. I also noticed mention of the Ford design not having enough adjustment so good repair shops will instal an alignment kit when replacing the ball joints.

They mentioned not having Ford parts installed because they wont have grease fittings.

You may find it cheaper if you shop around but the key issue is to have someone who is good at this and honest.

One find

More

Non adjustable top sleeves

Forum Discussion

E450 ball joints during alignment

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Ball joint failure

Ball joints?

Universal Joints

Tires & Alignment

Axle Alignment