...
First... hope your day gets better.
If you have a choice on ball joint brand, I would suggest staying with original, reliable Ford ball joints. The OEM balljoints are especially designed with a layer of plastic under the cup to allow for a tight upper and lower factory build tolerance between the axle housing knuckle forks, yet still not bind. Most other designs are a steel-to-steel configuration that offer durability but I believe lack flexibility. The resultant stiff steering is often mistaken for wandering as though the steering is too loose, but it is just the opposite... too tight.
It is important that all steering joints (including the sector) allow free steering so that the front tires automatically track straight ahead as per caster setting. As a matter of fact self-centering is the only reason there even is a caster alignment setting. A good example to remind us of this necessity is to try backing up in a straight line at high speed (the caster is backwards and particularily unstable). Also note from your experience that ball joints work great even when they are mostly worn out, but I assure you, never well at all, when too tight. Many shops aren't even aware of this principle (blank stare), but the good ones will often pipe up, "Oh, you mean F-250's..." when you mention trucks with tight steering. There is a good reason Ford spec'd the plastic in their OEM ball joints.
Wes
...
