Ball joint problems on 95 X

[Rolla91]

I have a 1995 Explorer 4x4 and I am trying to replace the lower ball joints. The drivers side pressed out like it was supposed to be, I pressed the new one back in with no problems. I then moved to the passenger side, the factory ball joint pressed out but when trying to install the new one you can just slide it into the control arm and it doesn't need to be pressed. the factory one still would have to be pressed back in. I bought 3 different ball joints from 3 different places and they all are the same. Is my problem the LCA? how often do those actually wear and loose enough metal that it would no longer hold a ball joint? has anyone else had this problem? how would you go about fixing it? Thanks for any help!

 

[Rolla91]

No one has any idea what to do? I really need to get my explorer back up as it is my daily driver and it has been down for almost a week.

 

[timleedude]

Double check to make sure you got the correct Lower Ball joint for passenger side?. Was the driver side Lower Ball joint the same item as passenger side? The lower ball joints are usually the same part for both sides. Try to measure the diameter of the hole that the ball joint slides into for both sides. They should be the same.. if not, then maybe someone put the wrong part previously (the part that the joint goes into). The holes don't usually wear noticeably... unless it's warped. Good Luck

-Tim