control arms and ball joint replacement??

IxHolyFordxI · 07-08-2010, 12:26 PM

hello everyone i had a few question hope that someone can help me...well my 1998 ford explorer has been making some loud squeking from my front end...the only thing i could think of is replacing the ball joints but not sure if i should replace my control arms also...my truck has 170,000 miles on it not sure if the control arms and ball joints have been replaced before but wanted some opinions from you guys....if i should replace the control arms and ball joints is there any type that i should buy that are better suited for off roading cause i really want to start hitting the trails but need some tune ups and its got some kind of lift on it if that matters well hope someone can get back to me asap ....thanks

ash98fordexp · 07-08-2010, 03:16 PM

i repalce my uppers and the pass side was ball joint/ control arm as one unit. drivers is different. my brother did mine as i was out of town so i dont know how hard they are on the ex's i also have a 98 ex xlt 4x4 4door.

*gavin* · 07-08-2010, 05:24 PM

it wouldn't hurt to replace the whole control arm, since with that many miles, chances are the control arm bushings could be shot.

it's also less time consuming to just replace the CAs.

IxHolyFordxI · 07-09-2010, 09:58 AM

thanks for the advise...im going to change the control arms and ball joints this weekend and my passenger side cv joint as well i looked under my truck and saw that the boot was ripped so that sucker is wearing down....

dana88 · 07-09-2010, 01:25 PM

I just replaced the whole front end on my Mounty. It had about 150k miles and the suspension was really worn out. If the suspension is worn out, it's a good chance the steering system will need to be looked at. The Rack and Pinion is a Pita to get out, (easier if you remove the inner tie rods) at least in the V8 model. Here is a before and after:

I picked up the Upper Control Arms from Rock Auto, went with Raybestos Professional Grade. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...?a=G-raybestos
They ran out of the lower Raybestos Professional Control Arms (at that time, it looks like they may have them again), so I pick up a set at the local Napa Store. Anything that required a core, I used a local supplier. I went with all heavy duty quailty parts, I didnt want to have to do this again for a while.

Before:

After:

*Joe Dirt* · 07-09-2010, 03:12 PM

Now to keep it looking that way...

muskegolake · 07-22-2010, 12:39 PM

Looks great... did you overhaul the entire thing? Looks like new bearings, bushings, everything down to the brake line... Exactly what I would like to do on my Mounty. Any additional pictures to share?

dana88 · 07-25-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muskegolake

Looks great... did you overhaul the entire thing? Looks like new bearings, bushings, everything down to the brake line... Exactly what I would like to do on my Mounty. Any additional pictures to share?

Yes, I replaced the whole front end, upper and lower control arms, cv joints, hubs, brakes, lines, Rack and Pinion Steering, tire rod ends. I plan on keeping the truck for a while, so it was a good investment.
I spent about $3k, but most of the cost was the wheels, tires, Bilstein Shocks & Xpress lowering kit.
It now rides better then it did when it was new. I have some more pics, I will try to post later.

*gmanpaint* · 07-25-2010, 09:02 AM

Now this is what I call a thing of beauty! Nice job!

Thats a lot of work right there. But the results has to be fantastic!

GRNMACHINE · 07-25-2010, 09:09 AM

x2!!! Nice Work Dana!!!

07-08-2010, 12:26 PM	#1
IxHolyFordxI Wannabe Elite Explorer Bloomington,CA 1998 XLT Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 23 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	control arms and ball joint replacement?? hello everyone i had a few question hope that someone can help me...well my 1998 ford explorer has been making some loud squeking from my front end...the only thing i could think of is replacing the ball joints but not sure if i should replace my control arms also...my truck has 170,000 miles on it not sure if the control arms and ball joints have been replaced before but wanted some opinions from you guys....if i should replace the control arms and ball joints is there any type that i should buy that are better suited for off roading cause i really want to start hitting the trails but need some tune ups and its got some kind of lift on it if that matters well hope someone can get back to me asap ....thanks

07-08-2010, 05:24 PM	#3
gavin Elite Explorer Anchorage, Alaska '97 Explorer XLT AWD 5.0L Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 3,046 Vehicle Specs	it wouldn't hurt to replace the whole control arm, since with that many miles, chances are the control arm bushings could be shot. it's also less time consuming to just replace the CAs. __________________ Daily Driver: 1997 V8 Explorer - K&N FIPK, Granatelli MAF, 3" Body Lift, WAR-153 Shackles, Torsion Twist, custom-built skidplate. 4.56s, Ion Alloy 133's, 33x12.5 Interco TrXus STS. 1986 Bronco2: RIP

07-25-2010, 09:02 AM	#9
gmanpaint Torsion Bar Free since 2010 94 XLT-95 FX4 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6,924 Vehicle Specs	Now this is what I call a thing of beauty! Nice job! Thats a lot of work right there. But the results has to be fantastic! __________________ The Black Hole Pugly

07-25-2010, 09:09 AM	#10
GRNMACHINE Wannabe Elite Explorer IL 95 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,374 Vehicle Specs	x2!!! Nice Work Dana!!! __________________ 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

07-08-2010, 03:16 PM	#2
ash98fordexp Wannabe Elite Explorer beaverton im 98 ford ex xlt 4.0l sohc Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 128 Vehicle Specs	i repalce my uppers and the pass side was ball joint/ control arm as one unit. drivers is different. my brother did mine as i was out of town so i dont know how hard they are on the ex's i also have a 98 ex xlt 4x4 4door.

07-09-2010, 09:58 AM	#4
IxHolyFordxI Wannabe Elite Explorer Bloomington,CA 1998 XLT Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 23 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	thanks for the advise...im going to change the control arms and ball joints this weekend and my passenger side cv joint as well i looked under my truck and saw that the boot was ripped so that sucker is wearing down....

07-09-2010, 01:25 PM	#5
dana88 Wannabe Elite Explorer Tulare, CA 1999 Mountianeer Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 32 Vehicle Specs	I just replaced the whole front end on my Mounty. It had about 150k miles and the suspension was really worn out. If the suspension is worn out, it's a good chance the steering system will need to be looked at. The Rack and Pinion is a Pita to get out, (easier if you remove the inner tie rods) at least in the V8 model. Here is a before and after: I picked up the Upper Control Arms from Rock Auto, went with Raybestos Professional Grade. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...?a=G-raybestos They ran out of the lower Raybestos Professional Control Arms (at that time, it looks like they may have them again), so I pick up a set at the local Napa Store. Anything that required a core, I used a local supplier. I went with all heavy duty quailty parts, I didnt want to have to do this again for a while. Before: After:

07-22-2010, 12:39 PM	#7
muskegolake Wannabe Elite Explorer Palatine, IL '00 Mountaineer Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 29 Vehicle Specs	Looks great... did you overhaul the entire thing? Looks like new bearings, bushings, everything down to the brake line... Exactly what I would like to do on my Mounty. Any additional pictures to share?