PFloydNVa
New Member
- Joined
- August 16, 2014
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Midlothian, VA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Ford Explorer XLT
Hoping someone has encountered this problem. After determining my ball joints on the front driver had either gone bad or near to on a 2003 Explorer XLT, I attempted replacing. Got the loaner tool and was able to get the upper off and replaced. However, I'm stumped with trying to get the lower off. First problem I ran into, I can't get the screw thread from the ball joint through the steering knuckle to release no matter what I try. Pickle bar and everything else under the sun, but it won't budge. Then attempted to press the ball joint out of the control arm and remove the steering knuckle to work on getting the screw thread released. Can't get the ball joint to release from the control arm either and last attempt started malforming the housing . I've sprayed enough penetration oil to kill a moose over the last two days and I've let it soak overnight, but to no avail. I'm at my wits end on this. Short of buying a new control arm and cutting the ball joint off to salvage the steering knuckle, I'm not sure what else to try.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Thanks in advance for any advice.