ball joint replacement

[Sport Trac 1]

Can someone explane the ball joint replacement procedure. I have an 01 Sport Trac. I would think all TB suspinisions are the same. My tires are wearing on the inside , The top of tires are leaning inboard and the is about a 1/4 in. movement up and down in the lower ball joint. I have 100,340 miles on this truck
TIA Tom in Louisiana

 

[DeRocha]

What Manual do you have?

Do you already have a manual and need it explained in greater detail, or do you need help in the whole procedure?

 

[Sport Trac 1]

I dont have shop manual. I really only want too get ball out of lower arm and the new one in the lower arm while still on truck .

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi and welcome to the site.
Well you will need to remove the wheel disconnect the outer tie rod ( easier to move the wheel assembly so you can get to the lower ball joint). Pull the cotter pin out and remove the nut from the lower balljoint. On the upper portin of the balljoint,where it fits into the A-arm, there is a snap ring that has to be removed before you can remove theball joint.
Remove the snap ring, then either use a balljoint puller or a BFH and a socket to bang the balljoint out of the A-arm. I use the BFH and a 1" socket with a long extention on it myself. Once the old balljoint is out put the new balljoint in. I just put the nut on the end of the new balljoint and again used the hammer to bang it back in. The nut on the end of the balljoint is to keep the threads from getting messed up if you don't hit it straight on. You don't have to bang on it real hard. put the new snap ring and put everything back together. It's pretty easy to replace the lower balljoints. doesn't take very long either.
Hope this helps.

 

[Sport Trac 1]

So have you replaced a ball joint without removing control arm from truck?
It seems as though I should be able to leave arm on truck.
Thanks for the replies every one
Tom

 

[Ray Lobato]

I did not have to remove the lower A-arm, and you do not have to remove the upper control arm.