Lower Ball Joint Replacement How To (lots of Pictures)

sportb · 09-05-2009, 11:04 PM

All four need replacing on my 2001 sport 4x4. I cant afford to do all at the same time so can I do the upper ball joints then the lower, lower then upper, passenger then driver...etc...?

*techieman33* · 09-05-2009, 11:06 PM

I would do the lowers, then the uppers and then get an alignment.

*CDW6212R* · 09-06-2009, 12:37 AM

Ditto, the lower ball joint alone will have almost no effect on the alignment. Changing the upper control arms(to get the ball joint), that ruins the alignment immediately.

Do both of the uppers just before getting an alignment.

GRNMACHINE · 09-06-2009, 08:59 PM

Double Ditto-I did the lowers, no effect on alignment. Uppers are "okay" for a little while but looser than what they should be. I plan on doing the uppers (entire UCA) and tie rod ends along with the caster adjuster bolts soon at one time and then springing for an alignment right after.

Is the jury out on what is better for the passenger side-the Moog 1 piece or the Moog 2 piece?? I have already purchased the Moog drivers side but havent decided on the passengers side yet. Read the 2 piece makes it easier to align, but also read the 1 piece is fine as well by Moog to align.

Anyone? About a $20 diff, but I dont want to do this again, so whatever is the "best option" is what I will be getting.

THanks

storlied · 09-06-2009, 10:39 PM

Oh for crying out loud! I've been a member on this forum for idk how long and there never has been a single Fairbanks member on here since I've joined... and Just right after I move to Anchorage.... a Fairbanks member signs up.... WTH!

*techieman33* · 09-06-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storlied

Oh for crying out loud! I've been a member on this forum for idk how long and there never has been a single Fairbanks member on here since I've joined... and Just right after I move to Anchorage.... a Fairbanks member signs up.... WTH!

I just searched and found 18 members listed in fairbainks

*CDW6212R* · 09-07-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techieman33

I just searched and found 18 members listed in fairbainks

Funny!

The one piece right UCA is great, I just bought and installed my second one. The alignment shop has no trouble with it. I got Advance Auto to sell it for $125 instead of their $150 I believe price. They stock the Moog parts, but not the next one. I "wanted" the cheaper UCA's, and they offered to deal on the Moog parts, to avoid ordering the others.

storlied · 09-07-2009, 05:46 PM

Active members. Everyone that you found quit visiting this forum, or moved.

**MountaineerGreen** · 09-07-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by storlied

Active members. Everyone that you found quit visiting this forum, or moved.

However, none of this is related to lower ball joints

GRNMACHINE · 09-15-2009, 12:42 AM

CDW thanks for the info! Thats good to know.

ifflandm · 10-01-2009, 11:58 AM

Hi,

I say your postings on replacing control arms and ball joints. I need to do both on both sides. IT looks like you do not need to "unload" the torsion bars on the uppers, just the lowers. Is this true? If so, it looks like you just used a jack to do this. HOw much do you jack up the wheel to do this. Thanks!

GRNMACHINE · 10-01-2009, 01:52 PM

I did not "unload" or touch the torsion bars when doing lowers. Not sure if it is a recommended thing to do or not.

10-01-2009, 01:54 PM

no need if you are not replacing the entire control arm

10-05-2009, 11:58 AM

hey I was looking on rock auto at control arms...what does "service grade" mean on the parts description? It's cheaper...but why?

dean1997sport · 10-05-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePhoenix

hey I was looking on rock auto at control arms...what does "service grade" mean on the parts description? It's cheaper...but why?

I was wondering about that too, I bought "service grade" uppers from rockauto.

10-05-2009, 12:17 PM

did you get them/ install them yet? how is the quality?

dean1997sport · 10-05-2009, 12:23 PM

Yea I put them in a couple of months ago, quality is good. I made that decision after reading all the posts that say the uppers dont wear out as fast as the BJ's.
Mine have a grease fitting and look better than the OEM arms IMO, but they were shot.

10-05-2009, 12:33 PM

wow, you may have opened up an avenue for me to fix my suspension sooner, as these parts are affordable for broke me. Thanks for the info

dean1997sport · 10-05-2009, 12:36 PM

Yea I'm broke too I had to do it as cheap as possible. Right now rockauto has a sale on items that are going off inventory, I got an email from them pro grade BJ's for $18.00 a piece, inner tie rods $8.99.

10-05-2009, 12:38 PM

can you email that to me? chazthephoenix@gmail.com or pm me

I just ordered a wheel bearing and rear sway bar bushing kit. I REALLY need to do the ball joints as they are sqwaking like a parrot.

I wonder if the 5% explorer forums discount applies to closeout items

09-05-2009, 11:04 PM	#281
sportb Wannabe Elite Explorer Fairbanks, AK 2001 sport 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs	Upper and lower need replacing... All four need replacing on my 2001 sport 4x4. I cant afford to do all at the same time so can I do the upper ball joints then the lower, lower then upper, passenger then driver...etc...? Last edited by sportb; 09-05-2009 at 11:07 PM. Reason: this is not the place I wanted to post.

09-06-2009, 12:37 AM	#283
CDW6212R Elite Explorer Knoxville, TN 98 Mountaineer A4WD Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 12,941 Vehicle Specs	Ditto, the lower ball joint alone will have almost no effect on the alignment. Changing the upper control arms(to get the ball joint), that ruins the alignment immediately. Do both of the uppers just before getting an alignment. __________________ Don 91 Lincoln LSC/SE, 99/93 Explorer Limited 4WD, 98 AWD Mounty with 255/55/18's, big sway bars, and 12.75" x 1.25" rotors. Soon a BW4406, built trans, stereo and interior. The best thing that could help us all, is the Fair Tax Plan. Be American, Buy American (Manufacturer)

09-06-2009, 08:59 PM	#284
GRNMACHINE Wannabe Elite Explorer IL 95 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,374 Vehicle Specs	Double Ditto-I did the lowers, no effect on alignment. Uppers are "okay" for a little while but looser than what they should be. I plan on doing the uppers (entire UCA) and tie rod ends along with the caster adjuster bolts soon at one time and then springing for an alignment right after. Is the jury out on what is better for the passenger side-the Moog 1 piece or the Moog 2 piece?? I have already purchased the Moog drivers side but havent decided on the passengers side yet. Read the 2 piece makes it easier to align, but also read the 1 piece is fine as well by Moog to align. Anyone? About a $20 diff, but I dont want to do this again, so whatever is the "best option" is what I will be getting. THanks __________________ 95 Sport 4x4, 3.73, tt/shackles, K&N FIPK, 33X12.50X15 BFG T/A, 15x10 DC-1's, Pro Comp ES9000 shocks, Flowmaster Catback, ARB OME Leaf Springs, 2" BODYLIFT "Thy shall Not Leaveth Thou Chariot Stocketh" Explorer 2nd Genesis GRNMACHINE

09-15-2009, 12:42 AM	#290
GRNMACHINE Wannabe Elite Explorer IL 95 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,374 Vehicle Specs	CDW thanks for the info! Thats good to know. __________________ 95 Sport 4x4, 3.73, tt/shackles, K&N FIPK, 33X12.50X15 BFG T/A, 15x10 DC-1's, Pro Comp ES9000 shocks, Flowmaster Catback, ARB OME Leaf Springs, 2" BODYLIFT "Thy shall Not Leaveth Thou Chariot Stocketh" Explorer 2nd Genesis GRNMACHINE

10-01-2009, 01:52 PM	#292
GRNMACHINE Wannabe Elite Explorer IL 95 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,374 Vehicle Specs	I did not "unload" or touch the torsion bars when doing lowers. Not sure if it is a recommended thing to do or not. __________________ 95 Sport 4x4, 3.73, tt/shackles, K&N FIPK, 33X12.50X15 BFG T/A, 15x10 DC-1's, Pro Comp ES9000 shocks, Flowmaster Catback, ARB OME Leaf Springs, 2" BODYLIFT "Thy shall Not Leaveth Thou Chariot Stocketh" Explorer 2nd Genesis GRNMACHINE

09-05-2009, 11:06 PM	#282
techieman33 Elite Explorer Topeka, KS 00 V8 Mountaineer Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8,222 Vehicle Specs	I would do the lowers, then the uppers and then get an alignment.

10-01-2009, 11:58 AM	#291
ifflandm Wannabe Elite Explorer Dallas, TX 95 Explorer Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	Hi, I say your postings on replacing control arms and ball joints. I need to do both on both sides. IT looks like you do not need to "unload" the torsion bars on the uppers, just the lowers. Is this true? If so, it looks like you just used a jack to do this. HOw much do you jack up the wheel to do this. Thanks!

10-01-2009, 01:54 PM	#293
ThePhoenix Unregistered Posts: n/a Vehicle Specs	no need if you are not replacing the entire control arm

10-05-2009, 11:58 AM	#294
ThePhoenix Unregistered Posts: n/a Vehicle Specs	hey I was looking on rock auto at control arms...what does "service grade" mean on the parts description? It's cheaper...but why?

10-05-2009, 12:17 PM	#296
ThePhoenix Unregistered Posts: n/a Vehicle Specs	did you get them/ install them yet? how is the quality?

10-05-2009, 12:23 PM	#297
dean1997sport Wannabe Elite Explorer Los Angeles 97 Sport OHV Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 260 Vehicle Specs	Yea I put them in a couple of months ago, quality is good. I made that decision after reading all the posts that say the uppers dont wear out as fast as the BJ's. Mine have a grease fitting and look better than the OEM arms IMO, but they were shot.

10-05-2009, 12:33 PM	#298
ThePhoenix Unregistered Posts: n/a Vehicle Specs	wow, you may have opened up an avenue for me to fix my suspension sooner, as these parts are affordable for broke me. Thanks for the info

10-05-2009, 12:36 PM	#299
dean1997sport Wannabe Elite Explorer Los Angeles 97 Sport OHV Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 260 Vehicle Specs	Yea I'm broke too I had to do it as cheap as possible. Right now rockauto has a sale on items that are going off inventory, I got an email from them pro grade BJ's for $18.00 a piece, inner tie rods $8.99.

10-05-2009, 12:38 PM	#300
ThePhoenix Unregistered Posts: n/a Vehicle Specs	can you email that to me? chazthephoenix@gmail.com or pm me I just ordered a wheel bearing and rear sway bar bushing kit. I REALLY need to do the ball joints as they are sqwaking like a parrot. I wonder if the 5% explorer forums discount applies to closeout items Last edited by ThePhoenix; 10-05-2009 at 12:53 PM.