Need 1981 Ford F-150 ball joints, tie rods, hubs, or a front-end kit? 1981 is 7th-gen F-150 (1980–1986). 1975–1979 6th-gen and 1987–1991 8th-gen are different front ends. 1/2-ton pickup only. Not Super Duty, not Raptor, not Econoline, not Club Wagon.
A clunk at low speed is usually a ball joint or sway link. Wander or inner-edge tire wear is more often a tie rod or a worn control-arm bushing. Most people replace the control arm as a complete unit with the ball joint already pressed in.
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Jump to: Shop notes · Works Kit · Front · Steering · Rear · Fitment notes
Ford F-150 (older) shop notes — 1981
1981 Ford F-150 suspension — 7th/8th-gen shop focus
Model-year 1981 sits in the 7th/8th-gen Ford F-150 window (1980–1991). It is not Super Duty.
Catalog applications for 7th/8th-gen (1980–1991) often repeat the same SKUs across adjacent years in this generation — that is expected. This URL stays year-specific for 1981 with a self-canonical and year-locked heading/links. On-page catalog SKUs called out here include MOOG front, MOOG K80026, MOOG DS1017T, MOOG K8195T, MOOG K8412T, MOOG K8292, MOOG K8672, MOOG K8621 — use only these rows (and the lists below), not torque charts we do not publish. Cross-shop the same model year: 1981 Ford F-150 shock parts.
These are shop notes for the Ford F-150 (older) that includes 1981. Older F-150 — confirm 2WD vs 4WD and Twin I-Beam vs later IFS before ordering.
What usually brings people here
- Low-speed clunk over bumps or driveways → ball joint or sway link (K80026). Most shops prefer replacing the control arm as a complete unit with the joint already pressed in.
- Wander, loose steering feel, or inner-edge tire wear → outer/inner tie rod (DS1017T) or a worn control-arm bushing.
- Growl or rumble that rises with road speed → wheel hub/bearing — confirm 4×2 vs 4×4 before ordering.
Key SKU choices
Upper ball joint on this page: K80026. Match the arm style (forged vs stamped / aluminum vs iron) before you order — the wrong upper is a common return.
Fitment forks on this page
- Upper, 4×4: K80026
- Lower, 4×4: K8195T
- Upper, 4×2, From 8/81: K8412T
- Lower, 4×2, From 8/81: K8195T
- 4×2, Ball Joint Suspension, From 8/4/81: K8292
- 4×2, Forged Axle, Thru 8/81: K8672
While you’re in there
While you’re tearing into the front end, inspect the matching side and the sway-bar links — one-sided wear is common after a hit or a long alignment delay.
Shop notes only — not a service manual. Use the factory procedure or a Haynes/Chilton manual for wrench work, torque, and safety steps. Leave a comment with drivetrain, suspension type, and the symptom if you want a part-number check.
Works Kit — 1981 Ford F-150 front-end (7th-gen F-150 · not 1987+)
Do not chase a single joint on 1981: this page’s Amazon rows already give page clunk row K80026 and steering DS1017T. order it all once, do it right. Model-year 1981 is the only year this kit is written for — neighboring years may share numbers but not this page’s hub/arm forks.
1. Clunk / sway kit
- Ball joint / clunk path named on this page — K80026
2. Wander / steering kit
- Outer / tie-rod end (page list) — DS1017T
- Alignment after install
Search Amazon for a 1981 Ford F-150 front-end kit · Full lists are below.
1981 Ford F-150 front suspension
Ball joints
Front axle pivot bushings
- 4×2, Ball Joint Suspension, From 8/4/81: K8292
- 4×2, Forged Axle, Thru 8/81: K8672
- 4×2, King Bolt Suspension, 5/8″ Bolts, Thru 8/3/81, (High Quality Elastomer For: K8621
- 4×4: K8292
Radius arm brackets
- Left, Replaces Worn Radius Arm Mounting Bracket: K8776
- Right, Replaces Worn Radius Arm Mounting Bracket: K8777
Radius arm bushing kits
- 4×4, (improved Kit With Thermoplastic For Heat Resistance, Design Allows: K80006
- From 11/80, improved: K8359
- 4×4, Thru 10/80, improved: K8295
- 4×2, (improved Kit With Thermoplastic For Heat Resistance, Design Allows: K80006
- Ease Of Installation) 4×2, Plastic Spacer Rings On Frame Bracket, Thru 10/80, improved: K8295
Radius arm hardware kits
- 10 Per Package, Self Locking Nut: K4006
Sway bar bushings
- To frame, 4×4, 7/8″ Sway Bar Diameter: K8691
- To frame, 1″ Sway Bar Diameter: K8653
- To frame, 4×2, 7/8″ Sway Bar Diameter: K8691
Sway bar repair kits
- Contains Thermoplastic Bushing For Threaded Rod End: K8434
- Link Not Included, Contains Thermoplastic Bushing For Both Ends Of Link: K8657
1981 Ford F-150 steering
Pitman arms
- Power Steering: K8755
Tie rod adjusting sleeves
Tie rod ends
- Left inner, Left Outer ES2078LT ‡ 1 S286 Right Outer ES2077RT ‡ 1 S286: DS1017T
1981 Ford F-150 rear suspension
Leaf spring shackles
- Rear, 4×4, Contains Shackle, Nuts, Bolts & Bushing: K150411
Leaf spring shackle brackets
- Rear, 4×4, New Part – Pending Availability: K150410
Leaf spring shackle bushings
- 4×2, 1-1/4″ Outside Diameter X 2-7/8″ Long, (High Quality Elastomer: K200129
Sway bar links
Sway bar repair kits
- Contains Thermoplastic Bushing For Threaded Rod End: K8434
- Link Not Included, Contains Thermoplastic Bushing For Both Ends Of Link: K8657
Fitment notes
These Moog numbers come from the 1990-and-older catalog rows that include 1981. Confirm 4×2 vs 4×4, aluminum vs steel, and trim before you order.
Diagrams are on the F-150 catalog page. How to diagnose suspension noises.
Related: 1981 Ford F-150 shock parts.
Leave a comment with 4×2 vs 4×4 and the noise if you want a part-number check. #HAPPYMOTORING