upper ball joints
 

1998 E250 Extended cargo van, 5.4L

I have been having serious problems with my cargo van's front tires. I maintain the vehicle well, but I can't get away from changing the front tires often. I drive about 50K a year, and have replaced the front tires four times over the past year. I think its the ball joints.

The inside of the tires wear quickly. While driving down the highway, I get a serious wobble and pull to the right. I had five wheel alignments done in 2003, three sets of new tires, and it continues to do the same thing. I replaced the front shocks and lower ball joints. I am looking at replacing the upper ball joints but need special tools, I think. Anyone have any ideas about the problem?

RE: upper ball joints
 

I am thinking youre upper ball joints are worn out, I would take a look at the tie rod ends as well, Just get someone to turn the sterring wheel while you look at each front tire to see what kind of play is happening, I had to do all my lower ball joints, that was cause my tires to have inside tire wear, then I got a wheel alingment corrected the problem.

Good Luck

RE: upper ball joints
 

You could have sagged springs. Collapsed axle pivot bushings or a bent axle if ball joints and tie rods are'nt worn.