Loose Balls- 7 Lug F250! Wheels Fell off!

[@michaelwuest9944]

What little we have with Dave, He seems to be a good fit for your business. He reminds me of other Mechanics who have experienced repair service politics and is glad to have a chance to show his talents in your independant operation. I especially respect your demeanor when Dave pointed out to the "boss"(you) were missing the backing plate in your reconstruction. I like a boss who can accept constructive criticism and compliment his employees for small things and large. Dave knows that he can talk to you if he sees something wrong and I think he will help you to grow your business and reputation. Maybe I'm wrong, but today I got "first impression" and I liked what I saw!

[@duncancremin1708]

@michaelwuest9944 Those of us who’ve been around a while know that already. It’s just how Ray rolls. Even when he makes an expensive mistake ( very rare!) he videos it and posts it, for all to see. Ray is the real deal and he’s going from strength to strength. I’m going to miss his daily uploads, when my own schedule prevents me watching his!

[@michaelwuest9944]

@@duncancremin1708 I totally agree Duncan!

[@dotar9586]

If Dave's going to be pointing out Ray's mistakes, he going to be VERY busy! 🤣🤣😝

[@dannyr3346]

Not that deep buddy

[@charlesmardanes7028]

Hey Dave, Nice to meet you!

[@Pinki-77]

Finally!!!!!! A video longer than 1 hour!! This should be good!!!

[@CalculatedRiskAK]

Let me be clear, it brings me great joy to see someone giving the green light on all of those safety items at once.

[@cranefly23]

Excellent video, Ray. Even for someone like me who isn’t really into cars, this was an hour of sheer enjoyment. I really like your humour, your skill, and your talent for keeping folk like me entertained.

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

Non-rainy man is pretty entertaining.

[@LesReeves]

Your new employee is a true professional wearing gloves & pointing out your inattention to the job ( commonly known as showboating for the audience) he is a true find.

[@Raikaru]

Because i've been watching your vids for so long, I finally got the confidence to do work on my '13 Malibu. Started with an oil change and ended up replacing the hub assemblies and did it successfully, with some pain.

[@ManBearPig3]

That escalated quickly.

[@mikehunt908]

Bugga about the pain but at least you had a go at it 👍👌🙁

[@HolmWrecker]

It has always amazed me how strong automotive ball joints are. It takes a lot to make one fail. Astounding strength in those little parts.

[@reho7387]

I, for one, appreciate your humor.

[@treeguyable]

Did everthing Ray has done in his garage, since the 70s. ( still do it, got a fleet of vehicles) Why do I even watch? Because it is relateable, I guess, and we didn't film / video anything back in the day. Great to watch someone else take a whack at this lifestyle. Patience.

[@ahoytheremate1954]

I like Ray he is like a old school mechanic and a new age mechanic ,honest ,no bullshit and fixes it im in aussie i wish we had 1000s of Rays here .the new young blokes are not so good from every 1 i know here, keep kicking ass ray

[@GeorgeKennedy-u4r]

Well worth the repairs even for a 99, compared to 60-70K for a new truck (which would be a new POS). Even though all the parts on that truck are HEAVY, they are much easier to access than on most newer vehicles. Nice job Ray!

[@legionofanon]

I've spent a few grand replacing and upgrading my 99 ram, and will continue doing so simply because new trucks aren't with the effort or cost. Well maintained old machines will last forever, and can't say the same about the new cheap materials new vehicles seem to be constructed of

[@charlieruppe9526]

Wonder how many people got the "Dave's not here man" reference. Made me laugh out loud!!!!!!!

[@dotar9586]

I found myself saying it along with Ray.

[@carlcollingwood2063]

@@dotar9586 AND the guy looking for Dave was delivering boxes of brake clean. The 'stuff' he mentions.

[@irdmoose]

Nut gravity, dry balls, and groovy rotors... Dang, this episode has it all!

[@forgetfulme1719]

or dry nuts, balls gravity.

[@brianb8060]

I'm 44, I'm mature. Heheh. He said Dry Balls. Heheh heheh heheh.

[@irdmoose]

@@brianb8060A wise person once said: What's the point of being all grown up if you can't be childish sometimes?

[@SHADZ6523]

I knew someone would say something about "dryballs"🤣🤣🤣

[@kingtut5923]

I love it

[@ToddAdams1234]

Ray, as far as your comment about junk goes, I LOVE my truck, and that’s my 99my (that I bought brand new) with 298678mi is still just a “gettin” it little rig. But I refer to mine quite often as junk just because it’s my own little piece of personal pride 👍

[@alvinhyman6838]

I have a 98 F250, great truck just did the complete front end work on it about a year ago. Love my truck and the looks it gets when I you it like a F250. Had a compact Trackhoe behind it Thursday!

[@almostfm]

Ray, I was going to school back when they went to full-time daylight savings time. It was no fun at all walking to the bus stop when it was dark outside. And there was an increase in accidents involving school buses because people who were going to work when it was dark weren't thinking about school buses when it was dark.

[@rcsontag]

Ray, A few suggestions when working on brakes: 1) Bleed the brake lines at the caliper when compressing the cylinders to avoid contaminating the master cylinder with water and corrosion products that have accumulated in the brake lines. This also prevents the brake fluid reservoir from overflowing. 2) Run two lug nuts down against the rotor to secure the rotor in place when reattaching the caliper and brake pads.

[@sammorgan2390]

Great job Mr Ray, you are an inspiration to all of us old crippled mechanics

[@johnt.848]

Ray will join the ranks eventually.

[@bimmjim]

Me too.

[@peterwill3699]

Hands knees and backs.

[@rickwhepley3377]

Just a little advice for all you guys at home, if you are replacing the joint and the cotter pin is frozen or just a mess, just cut it or bend it up and pound the socket over it. The impact or ratchet will make mince meat out of the cotter pin every time. Now if your saving the joint, obviously its not plan "A" but it can be easily drilled out. I have seen guys spend 30 minutes on cotter pins.

[@BWGPEI]

Your usual fine work. Please tell Dave that he's very good to put up with the shop humor, and being on-the-ball very useful.

[@sportsfan9614]

Ray & Wife Unit with all the sad things happening in our world, nation,and families. We look so forward to your content. It offers us all the opportunity to bust a gut with laughter and a smile of contetment because you all seem to enjoy what you do for a living. What makes it even more special is you seem to do it more from a heart of servitude. Your honesty and dedication to your family is only rivaled by your dedication to an honest job done exceptionally well. Sure, you have your haters and nay sayers, but hey, it is their perfect constitutional right to be wrong..... keep wrenching, and we'll keep watching.😅

[@weirdwillie]

Well threw out my back. But it's ok I get to lay back and watch ray. Oh yeah. Ray I've worked on cars my whole life. You and my dad taught me what to do. I do the opposite of what he taught me. To many times the fire dept was called when he worked on vehicles. Your videos have helped me diagnose and repair some vehicles. Especially the pt cruiser vids.

[@FredD63]

Ray it helps to lube the threads on your pullers … I’m sure you know this I just wanted to throw it out there …. Keep up the great work 🇺🇸👊🏼👊🏼

[@misterkite]

@1:00:34 agreed.. love that we don't change our clocks in arizona.

[@jimburgess9205]

I love having my morning coffee with Ray. He’s better than a donut.

[@jpcallan97225]

Ray - Thank you for naming 3M as the maker of your wheel hub brush. I've envied yours for some time. For other viewers, it's a 3M 21758 Scotch Brite Roloc Brake Hub Cleaning Disc Kit.

[@YooperICE]

Thank you for the info

[@terrywebb8636]

My first time seeing a 7 lug axle set, I've heard about, thanks Ray for sharing this with us.

[@kevincurry4735]

Happy hump day Ray. That squeaking sounded like my dad’s 1973 Ford Maverick. His bushings made a similar sound. It made it hard to return home late because the squeaking gave you away and would wake up my dad every time then I have to do some explaining why I was late. The good ole days.

[@Kykid78]

That explains why my dad never would get the driveway paved. “I like the gravel” 🤣

[@mtucker3401]

I did this to my son’s Ford last winter. Kind of a fun job once I got the right tools to install the ball joint.

[@Rachel.S674]

Dave talked up close on camera! Hi Dave nice to meet you.

[@joshuamerrill2422]

Another long video I love it can’t wait to watch this later. When I get off of work, I’ve learned so much of what to look for on a car and maintenance and all that thanks for your videos man they are very inspirational and full of knowledge.

[@timcraven124]

Hey Ray, It is great seeing you work with others in a loud shop again. Sincerest Congratulations!

[@connork5339]

I, and I am sure others as well, appreciate the brake cleaner musical tone that you and South Main Auto use. The music is not exclusive to anyone or their channel. It is however to the brake cleaner in all of its wondafulness and mystical powers itself. Thank you good sir.

[@Mikie1959]

I never use to grease those slide bolts but since i have been watching you i have done that on 2 different cars i have performed brake jobs on. You have taught me a lot since i have been watching you and you obviously know what you are doing and i like how you explain how the part you are replacing works for viewers.

[@johnsmith-xr6qy]

Ray, you are the best one handed mechanic I have ever seen. Thanks for the other hand and the video. The comedy is ok as well. Please save all the worn out parts for the customer. He or she cannot argue with the work or the cost of repairs. If they do, tell then to price a new truck!!! Thanks to Dave as well.

[@donw3912]

Seeing you do this job makes me appreciate Fords twin I Beam front suspension all the more...fewer parts to service and longer intervals between service needed. A great video...and a great demonstration of that ball joint seperater...i was expecting it to slip off and go flying with the load that was on it. I'm glad you got it apart after a couple whacks with the load on it. Thanks for the great videos as always Ray...you and Dave make a great team knocking the truck out once the correct lower bj's were acquired.

[@dennissterlace7435]

It appears your 'witty banter' is getting bolder. Love your videos.

[@jdtractorman7445]

Good rule of thumb. If the bottom ball joints are bad, change the upper control arms (ball joints) too. If the upper ball joints are bad, change the bottom ones too. If they are the same age, it's all relative. I had a 98 F-150 years ago and just rebuilt the front end and then had it aligned. It just makes sense instead of doing one part now, then another two weeks from now, so forth and so on.

[@Wakeupandsniffthecoffee]

I love that because of watching you do front ends for the past year, I have rebuilt the entire front end and replaced the steering arm, including dropping the subframe to do it on my PT Cruiser. But thats not all, I have nearly rebuilt my Dodge Dakota truck front end and am finishing up today on my Kia. The Kia had a clunking noise. After replacing sway bar links, control arms and struts, it came down to the worn sway bar to frame bushings. The worst thing to have to do. It involved dropping the subframe partially down, loosening the steering column shaft to get just enough space. The only thing left holding it was the front engine to subframe mount. It also involved dropping the Y pipes of the exhaust. Luckily it is fairly new. One lesson I learned from you is to just go the extra mile and remove things in the way, rather than trying to take short cuts that take longer and result in more damage. At any rate, I maintain all three of my older cars myself, from self confidence of watching you work. The money I have saved on all three cars is still less than a brand new car payment, interest and required maintenance that costs extra.

[@icestormmusic]

Customer states, help me Ray! You’re my only hope!

[@LeonardE-kq4xw]

I have the same truck but mines a 97 lariat. The suspension on mine is still running strong

[@sand0077]

The famous brake cleaner intro music, dramatic & spectacular! 😅

[@cabottaxi]

Great video Ray . You have made a huge difference to this truck

[@patrickgoodwin3085]

The best way to start any day is coffee and watch Ray!

[@dougpollard7452]

Thank you for all the videos you make. They are very educational .

[@JONNIE8OY]

Ray, the idea of time changing, is so that it is not too dark for children walking to school in the morning. They don't all get a lift.

[@TurboTimsWorld]

Ray in the UK I have the same rack (ramp) as you are using in this video. We have just have a safety recall on them! The spines that are bolted to the arms to prevent them turning after the car is lifted must now NOT be adjustable AND must have a 8.8 tensile bolts not the 4 or 6s you may just want to check yours.

[@apexpredators4908]

That ball joint is perfectly fine.

[@declanoshaughnessy7733]

Shiny brake cleaner time always love it❤️❤️

[@Kellen6795]

Ray sure played with a lot of shafts, balls, and nuts this video!

[@RIDEONDIRT14]

Highly recommend investing in the snap on ball joint press makes it a whole lot easier to not damage balljoints

[@JohnLong-l9n]

Cotter pins. What Ray describes as cotter pins are usually just called 'split pins' in the uk. Cotters are the threaded pins with a flat on one side that on bicycles are used to lock the pedal cranks to the drive shaft. Great videos.

[@davidhenderson585]

I like the long videos. Even if I have to stop and pause, it will be there when I return. Nice to get back to the routine. At my age I live a life of routine (67). Dave looks a little less camera shy. Keep working on him

[@dannyr3346]

Air impacts are our friends when doing suspension work bro!!!

[@gentlemanzer]

You have a majestic way with words Ray! Keep it up!

[@michellericard4850]

Missed the daily videos. Glad you both are back. Hope you enjoyed yourself. Welcome to the Westside lol

[@sonnydavis7339]

Your videos are always entertaining. And, nice to finally meet you Dave!

[@chiefbiglew]

you can tell hes been crankin wrenchis for a long time. and every job he does its like hes workin on his moms car no short cuts

[@snifitall]

Thank you for sharring with us.

[@RenegadesGarage]

Rainman Ray's Repairs.. Another awesome video. Thanks for sharing it.

[@GarryFishermusic]

Just letting you know that I did so enjoy your video immensely thanks Mr RainmanRay

[@briandavidson3390]

I am far from mechanically inclined, but I really enjoy your videos.

[@TaranTatsuuchi]

My car's operational again, a year later. We've gotten the subframe swapped out, and the car back together. Now to the issue that caused this side project in the first place. New tires and alignment!

[@arnulfoguzman2594]

Awesome video Ray

[@kevinray8106]

I worked for my uncle that ran a gas station in western Kansas for two summers. When we performed service on a car, we always gave a complimentary vacuum out and cleaned the windows. We had to vacuum out a 'farm' car once (spends most of the times out in a field). It was a good thing it was dry inside or there would have been a crop of wheat in the car.😁

[@johnkirbymobileautoelectri4321]

Thanks Ray.

[@peterjordan7324]

Hi Ray them pins here in England are called split pins .a cotta pin as you refer it to are used on bicycle to hold the peddles to the crank.they are like a wedge with a flat side.

[@Ford4life885]

I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who listens to upchurch while working especially holler boys 😂

[@chrischallacombe3477]

Brake Clean effects ALWAYS get a like from moi!!

[@jcos55chev19]

Instead of hitting the tierod stud end with a hammer, hit the the knuckle on the end (the round spot), It works a lot easier with less pressure needed on the tool separator.

[@lonesomelenny7606]

I bought a caliper compression tool and a needle scaler. Very cool tools. Great video.

[@fordmuscleluis9710]

Your videos are so inspirational Glad you got the front suspension replaced on this Ford F250 light duty 7 lug truck vs the standard F150 which had the 5 lug

[@eddykirksey8836]

Ray, Ford's have had junk front ends forever!! Great video

[@K.Kelly87]

Yeah... But not as bad as Chrysler's!!! LOL! My Grandfather was a Mopar man... We used to tease him and tell him all new Chrysler products now come with a trunk full of ball joints... My neighbor just spent 3 DAYS on each side of his Old Dodge pickup replacing ball joints.... He only had a 3 pound hammer...

[@ChrisFaulkner]

I have a love/hate relationship with fixing suspension, hate it because of all the crust and such, but after the job is done, it's so rewarding mentally. I redid my mom's 2006 vw jetta front end, everything minus the wheel bearings ( shoulda replaced them anyways) but it rides so much better

[@patriotgarage]

Come to Minnesota. The truck Ray is working on is faught over in shops up here

[@ChrisFaulkner]

@@patriotgarage I dont work on rust belt cars... lol

[@CatsMeowington]

This video should get billions of views! Yeah, this WAS A VERY GOOD VIDEO!! All of the bolts and steering joints came out without any trouble or little trouble. I work with computers so I wish I had someone to remind me that I didn't install the backing plate software! Good job Dave and Ray, thanks for what you do, your sense of humor. I stayed tuned because it is going to be a very good video, and it was one of the best I have watched in the last two years or so. I have nothing more to offer on this video so I liked it and commented. Goodbye everybody!

[@Jica]

Hey Ray. Love the channel. You really need to take on a First Year Apprentice so the world can have just one more mechanic with the highest of standards just like you.

[@Jica]

@@willydavid i thought troy was 2nd or 3rd year. either way. Still would be good to get another :)

[@davidaverill7041]

Is his cohand, David considered an apprentice? He keeps referencing him on this video.

[@Jica]

@@davidaverill7041 i think David is a full fledged mechanic not an apprentice. But i don't think we have been informed of David's qualifications. I may be wrong

[@imheck]

i did my e350 with the same brakes. The shims were wrong, the rubber 4 boots per caliper & tucking the top of the caliper in first got me frustrated. I cleaned up the old shims & got it done. Do-diddly-do!

[@wraht]

Secretly, Ray ran out of cotter pins and had to re-use one. Cut it out on purpose so he wouldn't damage our collective souls. Thank you, Ray! ❤❤

[@Papieck37]

Great video Ray... That shot of the undercarriage while driving was awesome!!

[@jacobwhittaker6241]

These are pretty rare trucks, my grandfather had a blue extended cab F250 HD 4x4 of the same year and I haven't seen one since.

[@oldViking66]

Looks like that Truck has been in North Florida, Alabama or Georgia.. I just did this same job on my 04, Crown Vic. Police interceptor Also lifted it 3" added 2" wheel spacers 2000 year Excursion rear coil springs, F-150 rear shocks rear control arms, Watts link, sway bar links, tires Goodyear Wrangler ( Jeep ) 265/70/ 16 AT on Factory 7" rims cop center caps

[@vicmiller7191]

Common sense, oh my, what a concept. Thanks for another good video. Take care, Mister Ray.

[@Kykid78]

Dave’s not here man! Glad this video is long because when its over I have to go replace my oil pan gasket. 😁

[@nathanielhannan4860]

I was looking forward to my ball joint separator being the star of the show!

[@josephvantreeck2989]

Thank You

[@Impeeza]

Yeah Ray, is a insane try to change the reality because our personal perception! I completely agree with you.

[@alvinmitchell6799]

I usually strap the axle to the upper mount on the frame to keep it out of my way.

[@JJJobson]

Have you seen the new ICON Angry Pliers coming out in 2024? Definitely adding to my ICON collection

[@Mech7.3]

It’s not junk Ray. It’s mechanically challenged. ✌️🇺🇸

[@Marklovesfamily]

Wish I had a mechanic like you!

[@bturnbough]

Glad to see you guys are getting your crops out. Winter comes fast.

[@adamkane3736]

That truck is a bit of a rare bird. The 7700 series were basically a heavy duty half ton (hence the 7 lug axles). It's got a 2v 5.4...the 3v didn't come until later. The issue with the odometer is one i chased on a 99 i owned years ago. There's s handful of cold solder points on a ribbon cable header that cause that display to go dark. I had to remove and dismantle the gauge cluster, and resolder all of those pins. Sometimes slapping the dash above the gauges will cause it to come on for a bit.

[@hobocatlawrence]

I have 3 of these 7 bolt F series 7700 light 250 or heavy half tons. (depending on how they were badged and tagged) Two are California trucks with very low miles (ex-Naval Reserve) and have the dual fuel gas and CNG tanks with two ports for fueling. All are 5.4 - two valves. You are right they are a 'rare bird' as just try and find a spare wheel for one if yours didn't come with it. Nearly impossible. I have gotten as high as 24 mpg on CNG at the speed limit and as good as 21.5 with regular unleaded. They all came with high speed rear axle ratios so cruise right along at 75-80 with no load. They are capable to pull with but I do not as I have several other F250 heavies and several F350-F450 with that better option of better pulling while tugging a trailer or heavy load. GREAT job Ray ! Nice work as always .... love your vids Curiously on some Ford chat sites, this seven bolt truck is referred to as an F200 as it falls somewhere between a F150 and F250

[@ItsAlwaysRusty]

Always love to see a vehicle where the rims and tires are worth more than entire truck.

[@jaimelopez2528]

its a working FORD truck , what do you want ??? a shinny new silver- ado , you ford hater

[@nicholasmelfi4684]

My thoughts to the tee!

[@MrX-fb9uy]

Nope, not even close. Tires and rims were $800. Truck is worth over $4K according to my current insurance valuation. The reason for the directional tires is I spend a considerable amount of miles in 4 wheel drive. Of the now 140k miles, probably 50K of that is in 4 wheel mode. The suspension got smoked on S Texas oil field Lease roads where I spent 3 years in goo getting to my cranes. The loose sand where the majority of my jobs occur means slogging in 4 wheel drive getting to the crane for refueling.

[@PowerStrokeTechTalkwARod]

Rusty but trusty

[@five0pd310]

I know how to fix the odometer display on the '99-'03 Ford trucks. I figured out how do it on my truck. Pull the cluster and re-solder the pins that connect the odometer to the ribbon cable.

[@newsnowriversidesgtrock]

Love that "Gravity!"

[@michaeldepetris696]

Ray has become the master of cliff hangers.

[@del8704]

The blue dot on the ball joint boot is supposed to be pointing inward to allow excess grease to not drip onto the wheel and get slung all over the rim and dripping onto the rotor.

[@lozza9789]

“We’re about to have a massive gravity moment…” Haha, love it! 😊

[@kevindowd31021]

I have been a subscriber for a long time Ray and I'm happy to have been with you through various dealerships, hurricanes and heat strokes and you just keep getting better. I even invited some friends over for beer and peanuts who are more knowledgeable than I in modern auto mechanics that had some disagreements with some of the things in this episode so I thought I would share with you their opinions because I know you are not above a little constructive criticism. Eric O wants to know what rust you are referring to. Derek Bieri keeps saying. "It's fine!" and "Just pretend that you didn't see that!" and "Owner needs more cold snacks and a louder radio." Andrew Camarata said that the truck is "Practically brand new!" and "Just weld some three quarter inch steel!". And Scotty Kilmer is waving his arms in the air and hollering about something or another the rest of us can't understand. Just thought I would pass the information on in hope that you are not offended and can better improve your craft. Sincerely, one of your back seat mechanics from GA! PS. I almost unsubscribed when you put the rotor on backwards (to clean it!). It's an internet reaction were you assume the entire content of a video by a three second clip. Good thing my unsubscribe reflexes were slow enough to see that you were just cleaning it and then flipped it around! Crises averted!

[@timcarlyle147]

i totally thank you guys keep me up dated on parts and new ways to get r done