'11 And Nerwer SD Front End Parts

8WA Sman · February 24, 2016

I ended up putting ball joints and all tie-rod ends on a '14 F-450. A couple of things I have learned this week & it's been a long week :banghead:

MCF 2224 and MCF 2223 are the exact same ball joints that are in the Spicer 708238 kit, I like the Spicer kit because it comes with a new snap ring & nuts.

Now for the tie-rods.. if the vehicle has what Ford calls narrow suspension(Note this is not the same as narrow frame) the RF outer lower tie rod will be a MEOE 220 the LF outer will be a MEOE 217 these both can be identified by the thread size (34.5 mm). The RF upper tie rod will be a MEOE 216 & will have no grease zerk.

If the vehicle has what Ford calls Extended Axle (Fatboy)the RF outer lower tie rod will be a MEOE 221 the LF outer will be a MEOE 218 this both can be identified by the thread size (39.2 mm). The RF upper tie rod will be a MEOE 215 & will have a grease zerk.

Now for the drag link/center link the MDOE 44 & MDOE 45 are the same length(approx. 37" to joint center line) and will have grease zerks, the difference is the direction of the hole taper for the steering damper. On the MDOE 45 the nut for the damper will be on the opposite side as the nut where the drag link bolts to the pitman/sector shaft arm. On the MDOE 44 the nuts will be on the same side.

Now for the shorter drag link/center link the MDOE 37(approx. 34 15/16" to joint center line) & MDOE 43 (approx. 34 5/16" to joint center line) are NOT the same length & will not have grease zerks, the is also a difference in the distance of the hole for the steering damper. The hole for the damper tapers the same direction. So on these two if the tie-rod looks like it's turned in too far or out too far from the adjusting sleeve it could have the wrong part installed. The MDOE 37 is actually listed for 2010 and older in FCA.

Now for the front axle u-joints Spicer said the SPL55-3X(F81Z-3249-AA), no grease zerk and the SPL55-4X(5C3Z-3249-AA),greasable are the same joints(1480WJ Series) the difference is the 4X is cross drilled for the grease passages.

The SPL70-4X(5C3Z-3249-BA) is a 1550/70WJ Series the distance between the snap rings/cap to cap is greater.

If the vehicle has F-450 axle shafts it should take the bigger u-joints1550/70WJ. If vehicle has F-350 steering knuckle the seal installer tool for the F-450 will bottom out on the raised seal surface/inner part of the knuckle before it bottoms out on the outer part/where the wheel bearing sets.

The picture is of a modified and made installer for the upper and lower OE style ball joints. The bigger one is just SS pipe that the machine shop turned out.