Has anyone replaced their upper ball joints themselves? I ordered them from ebay but am wondering if I should give it a shot or not. I know a machine shop that can press them in, but I don't know if I need anything special for this job. Thanks guys.
Upper Ball Joints
- Thread starter washin34
- Start date
FASTLLS
Dedicated LVC Member
You mean lowers right?
I have never seen uppers on eBay. Plus, the lowers are the loaded ball joint and the more likely to fail.
I have never seen uppers on eBay. Plus, the lowers are the loaded ball joint and the more likely to fail.
milehighmikey
Dedicated LVC Member
If it's front upper ball joints here in this case, you simply buy the upper control arm assembly, which includes the ball joint. There are numerous sources. The list price you'll pay at the dealer is $143, site sponsors will be closer to $110-$120, and I saw a place that sells that part for $106. I've changed one on each of my LSs, need another right now due to a ripped boot. A ripped boot on a ball joint will rush its end of life, regardless of load level.
I couldn't get the nut off the stud for the control arm when removing the knuckle (having a shop press out the lower ball joint and put in a new one) So I basically ruined the threads on the upper ball joint. How do I get the control arm out? The bolt heads seem to have been punched down on the edges, so it looks more like a 12 sided bolt, can't get a regular socket wrench or wrench to work on it.
Also... any simpler way to remove nuts from studs than with a wrench on the nut and a socket wrench on the stud itself?
Also... any simpler way to remove nuts from studs than with a wrench on the nut and a socket wrench on the stud itself?
milehighmikey
Dedicated LVC Member
A thorough wire wheeling at the end of a drill on all threads extending out of the nut, spray PB Blaster or Seafoam deep penetrating oil on the threads, and just use a 1/4" drive ratchet and socket on the hex holding feature of the stud. A really nice thing to use is a ratcheting box end wrench on these nuts, once you break them free.
Great Mike! I'll definitely use that on studs in the future. I did use the penetrating oil, but didn't think to wire brush the threads.
Any thoughts on removing the control arm with it's "12 sided bolt head"? I need to find my shop manual (on a DVD...) around here somewhere
n/m! Found my manual, this is removed from the inside (oh fun...) Thanks for the help. Got my torque specs now as well so I can make sure to get it all back together well.
Any thoughts on removing the control arm with it's "12 sided bolt head"? I need to find my shop manual (on a DVD...) around here somewhere
n/m! Found my manual, this is removed from the inside (oh fun...) Thanks for the help. Got my torque specs now as well so I can make sure to get it all back together well.
milehighmikey
Dedicated LVC Member
hey Mike.. do u think i could fit an aftermarket ball joint in my upper arms? Maybe a heavy duty one
With the stock control arm, no. Those things should be good for 100K miles easily,and it would take a machine shop or foundry to cast a new control arm with a larger hole for a larger ball joint. Good idea though.
FASTLLS
Dedicated LVC Member
How much r the front control arms? There's gotta be a better way to spend that money than buying OEMs
go to fordparts.com and find out..