I'm also replacing the lower right ball joint on an '06 Explorer 4WD. Can that thing be removed without disassembling the entire steering assembly? I watched a video or two for an F150, and Mountaineer having it done, and it involved removing not only the caliper and frame (which I wouldn't mind doing), but the sway bar link, tie rod, upper ball joint, half shaft... Damn, that's a lot of screwing around!
This last one is 3rd gen, but check out the tools!
I'm thinking if I can bust loose the lower ball joint with a pickling fork, and lift the lower arm (or push the upper arm down) to free it from the knuckle, I should be able to press it, or draw it out of the LCA even with the limited clearance of the shaft assembly.
I mostly dread trying to "slide" the shaft from the bearing assembly. I replaced the left bearing a couple years ago, and rust had the spline seized pretty bad. REALLY don't want to fight with that again if I don't have to. Hoping I can use the ball joint press "backward", and just keep slipping spacers under the anvil end as the ball joint gets worked down.
Anybody have success with this installation without all the disassembly shown in the videos?