Ball joints

[Shran]

Just take the axle shaft or tie rod end in to the parts store and let them figure it out.

 

[tjs4x4]

Lol easy to do when u have more than one vehicle to drive. This is my only rig now. Guess I can measure it myself.

 

[xr75er]

you've got a d35 front end and that's all the parts store needs to know. no size problem unless the clerk is an idiot.

 

[adsm08]

unless the clerk is an idiot.

awful big leap of faith assuming he isn't.

 

[tjs4x4]

LOL, I was going to say something similar. Doesn't seem like too many of the name brand stores have employees that know a thing of what they're selling.

 

[Shran]

I did some checking with O'Reilly about your u-joints. I guess there are different u-joints depending on gear ratio. According to them you need:

With 3.45 or 4.10 gears:
Precision brand - part #466 (greasable)
Precision brand - part #436 (non greasable)

With 3.27, 3.55 or 3.73 gears:
Precision brand - part #377 (greasable)
Precision brand - part #371 (non greasable)

Hope that clears things up for you. I don't know what AutoZone goes by. NAPA also sells Precision u-joints and I have had good luck with them, so that is probably what I would get. I was not aware that gear ratio mattered; it seems kind of bizarre but that's Ford for ya.

BTW, about your tie rod ends - there are two listed - one left, one right in any brand - you need one of each, they ARE different, and have different size shank and thread.

 

[tjs4x4]

Now to find my gear ratio lol. It's a 5 speed 4wd, don't know if that helps.

Guess I will just have to do some measuring later on with the tie rod ends.

 

[Shran]

The metal tag on either axle will tell you. Bottom line should begin with something like "4 10" or "3L55" - the L on a rear axle tag denotes a limited slip and the other numbers are your gear ratio. The first number might be hidden under a bolt so you may have to remove said bolt to see it.

Don't bother measuring the tie rod ends, just buy one of each. You need both.

 

[tjs4x4]

Ok, I will check the tags. The metal tag that I pulled off the rear axle housing when I did the gasket is just about unreadable lol. Will see if I can read it tho.