1999 Explorer Ball Joint

[neo1973]

I've been to the sticky and I was just gettting ready to head to the parts store when...

I looked in my Chilton's and it said that for '99, the ball joint was integral to the control arm and I needed to replace the arm, not the joint.

HUH???

I can buy the joint from the part store, wth would I need to replace the control arm?

Anyone?

 

[white_shadow]

I've been to the sticky and I was just gettting ready to head to the parts store when...

I looked in my Chilton's and it said that for '99, the ball joint was integral to the control arm and I needed to replace the arm, not the joint.

HUH???

I can buy the joint from the part store, wth would I need to replace the control arm?

Anyone?

i just replaced the upper and lower ball joints ( yes, you need a new UCA on both sides ) for just under 100$ iirc from rock auto

 

[96eb96]

I've been to the sticky and I was just gettting ready to head to the parts store when...

I looked in my Chilton's and it said that for '99, the ball joint was integral to the control arm and I needed to replace the arm, not the joint.

HUH???

I can buy the joint from the part store, wth would I need to replace the control arm?

Anyone?

The stock upper unit is in one piece, so you must buy a complete replacement. There are special aftermarket units that allow for joint replacement, maybe they had fleets in mind.

As for the lower, the great majority can just swap out the ball joint. Even Ford sells a replacement. The service manuals were probably written with warranty work in mind, and they felt the best route was to swap the arm. I know on a Continental they say replace the knuckle for a ball joint, but you can definitely buy one separately and press it in.

There are cases where arm replacement is necessary though. If the joint is replaced a few times, or improperly removed, the hole gets too large to accommodate a replacement. The arm is made of stamped steel(I believe) not cast iron so it is deformable.

A new arm also contains new frame bushings, which may not be a bad idea considering how old these trucks are.

 

[white_shadow]

A new arm also contains new frame bushings, which may not be a bad idea considering how old these trucks are.

so far everything has been replaced except the LCA bushings...and that is where the damn squeak is!! im not replacing the LCA's. ill just spray them with some oil every so often.