Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 2001 Ford Ranger

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the front upper and lower ball joints were worn. The dealer was notified who informed the contact that they would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 47,944. The lower ball joints had to be replaced. Updated 05/06/11.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. While the vehicle was undergoing a front end alignment, the contact was informed that the front lower ball joints were defective, loose, and worn. He stated that the steering was fine and he could not tell that there was an issue prior to the repair visit. The manufacturer offered no assistance. The current and failure mileages were approximately 43,000.

I have a 2001 Ford Ranger 4x that is mainly used for driving to work. It is only taken off the pavement to unload materials or remove wood, etc from the back of my property. I had new tires put on at 75,000 miles and was told that I needed wheel alignment. Since I questioned this, I took it to the dealer for the alignment. They told me that my ball joints needed replacement for $500, which I also doubted. I told them to do the alignment but not the ball joint replacement. I have had no reason to suspect that the ball joints are bad but if they are then I would like to have them replaced. I am 65 and have gone through a lot of cars. I have had some for nearly 200,000 miles but this is the first time that I have been told that the ball joints need replacement. I have contacted Ford and they provided not help. They said to take it to a dealer and that they will probably charge me to look at it.

While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, and mechanic notified consumer that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. However a independent mechanic determined that lower ball joint wore out.