GoneBoatN
New LVC Member
I have a 2001 Lincoln LS V8 Sport Package; first and only owner.
I got a quote from my mechanic to fix the bad lower ball joints and the inner tie rod on the right hand side - $1200. Decided to take a crack at it myself for that kind of money. Although I'm not a mechanic I am a bit adept at figuring things out and getting the job done. I've just received my Moog lower ball joints from rockauto and the inner tie rod. So now the planning begins.
From what I read and found on the internet it sounds like this may be quite the experience getting the old one out and the new one in. I seen an youtube video where a couple of shaddy looking characters use a welder or torch or something and then beat it out like a 500 lb gorella - a fightening video to watch. Then I read that there is a kit for pressing them out and in. But I just read where the steering knuckle shaped such that it might make using such a tool difficult. I just got done watching an video from Eric The Car Guy where he used an Air Hammer and the old one came out sooo easy and then he used the same air hammer to insert the new one. I'm thinking I might try that.
My question: anyone have any constructive advice on replacing the lower ball joint?
Worse case is that I screw it up and have to buy new knuckle with ball joint already installed. Still much less than $1200! The car still has less than 100k miles so I'd like to get a couple more years out of it. Just paid to have the AC compressor replace and that cost an arm and a leg but from what I read it is worth it to have that job professionally done.
I got a quote from my mechanic to fix the bad lower ball joints and the inner tie rod on the right hand side - $1200. Decided to take a crack at it myself for that kind of money. Although I'm not a mechanic I am a bit adept at figuring things out and getting the job done. I've just received my Moog lower ball joints from rockauto and the inner tie rod. So now the planning begins.
From what I read and found on the internet it sounds like this may be quite the experience getting the old one out and the new one in. I seen an youtube video where a couple of shaddy looking characters use a welder or torch or something and then beat it out like a 500 lb gorella - a fightening video to watch. Then I read that there is a kit for pressing them out and in. But I just read where the steering knuckle shaped such that it might make using such a tool difficult. I just got done watching an video from Eric The Car Guy where he used an Air Hammer and the old one came out sooo easy and then he used the same air hammer to insert the new one. I'm thinking I might try that.
My question: anyone have any constructive advice on replacing the lower ball joint?
Worse case is that I screw it up and have to buy new knuckle with ball joint already installed. Still much less than $1200! The car still has less than 100k miles so I'd like to get a couple more years out of it. Just paid to have the AC compressor replace and that cost an arm and a leg but from what I read it is worth it to have that job professionally done.
