Ball joint Question 2003 Explorer 4.6v8 2WD eddie

[jaycough]

have a question, upper ball joints, can the joints be pressed out or does arm need to be replaced. getting conflicting info. MOOG has balljoints that they say replace factory. Thanks!

 

[japracer4]

on napa's site it shows as the balljoint only. on the last gen of explorers it was changed as the hole arm. hope this helps

 

[BajaXplorer]

depends on what your a-arm looks like- My '02 (a-arm looks like stamped sheetmetal)can be changed and this was verified with 3 alignment only shops.
Hell of alot easier to change just the joint then deal w/ the whole arm making sure alignmnet cams stay put and in place.

 

[jaycough]

thanks

 

[Jim Fidler]

Just got my 2002 2WD 4 door Explorer back from the independent mechanic today. He installed Moog K80008 upper ball joints in the original arms, no problem. Charged 2 hours labor @ $70 plus $58.49 for each of the ball joints. Total was $266.63 including a little tax. No alignment necessary because the adjustments weren't touched. The Ford dealer wanted several times as much to replace the upper control arms and realign. Apparently the 2001 and earlier Explorers must have new control arms but 2002 and newer can have the ball joints replaced in original arms.

BTW, no grease fittings on the Moog K80008.