Control Arms Help

[DreamCar]

I've been driving my truck with messed up Ball Joints for awhile now.

Now i need to reaplce them, instead of going to the shop to get it repaired, me and my friends are going to do it. Since they've done it several times.

Now im trying to figure out what to buy. He told me about RockAuto, so im on there but im finding.
4.0 245cid V6 Fl (E) SOHC and 4.0L 245cid FLEX Fl (K) SOHC
Thers a 4.6 but i know i dont have that.

Then the control arms range from $35-$135.. I do some moderate offraoding which is why its all effed up, its stock. But i they all look different im confused as can be.

I would really like some help! lol

Truck's Spec's that i know of:
2002
Ford Explorer XLT
V6
uhhhhhh.. thats all i really know.
(yea... i suck at mechanic work, or even cars, im a Computer Repair Tech)

------------------
OHH And here's a bonus: My Check engine light has been on, i rear ended this crazy laddy because she slammed on her brakes in the middle of a high way....
I went to pepboy's or autozone (cant remember) they told me it it was either my 02 sensor or my fuel injector needed cleaning (or something like that, i need to put fuel cleaner in)..
So where exactly would the 02 sensor be and can anyone tell me how hard it would be to replace?

 

[EasyRhino]

There are some good threads on this topic, I think even a sticky thread up top.

The factory manual requires you to replace the control arms and ball joints as a unit, that's why the odd prices.

However, the ball joints can be replaced separately from the control arms. The big difference (and difficulty) is that the ball joints are pressed in vice held in place by the standard ball joint C-clip arrangement.

Many auto parts places will rent you a manual ball joint press tool for a nominal charge or for free if you buy the parts from them.

Do some research on this site and you'll find all the info you need to be able to do this job with minimum suffering.

Good luck!

 

[DreamCar]

Im just looking for the part pretty much. and there was no sticky that i saw.
I remember seeing a full pic-by-pic thread on how to replace, which got me thinking of doing it myself. I just lost it. lol, but now im just looking for the part itself. and am confused on what the difference is between:
4.0 245cid V6 Fl (E) SOHC
and
4.0L 245cid FLEX Fl (K) SOHC

 

[EasyRhino]

------------------
OHH And here's a bonus: My Check engine light has been on, i rear ended this crazy laddy because she slammed on her brakes in the middle of a high way....
I went to pepboy's or autozone (cant remember) they told me it it was either my 02 sensor or my fuel injector needed cleaning (or something like that, i need to put fuel cleaner in)..
So where exactly would the 02 sensor be and can anyone tell me how hard it would be to replace?

Saw this after closing my prior answer.

You are a computer guy, do this right.

Get that CEL read with a hand-held scanner, it will, in most cases tell you exactly what parts to replace, instead of easter-egging and likely replacing perfectly good (and expensive and time consuming to replace) parts.

Most auto parts store will read your CEL codes for free on the premise that you will buy the needed parts from them in return.

 

[EasyRhino]

Im just looking for the part pretty much. and there was no sticky that i saw.
I remember seeing a full pic-by-pic thread on how to replace, which got me thinking of doing it myself. I just lost it. lol, but now im just looking for the part itself. and am confused on what the difference is between:
4.0 245cid V6 Fl (E) SOHC
and
4.0L 245cid FLEX Fl (K) SOHC

NO difference as far as the ball joints are concerned.

 

[EasyRhino]

Im just looking for the part pretty much. and there was no sticky that i saw.
I remember seeing a full pic-by-pic thread on how to replace, which got me thinking of doing it myself. I just lost it. lol, but now im just looking for the part itself. and am confused on what the difference is between:
4.0 245cid V6 Fl (E) SOHC
and
4.0L 245cid FLEX Fl (K) SOHC

Very first sticky on the top of this page: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249135

 

[BigRondo]

Here you go!! Sticky: How To: Replacing Upper Ball Joints on a 3rd Gen 4x4 [Pictures]

EDIT: Rhino beat me to the punch!

 

[DreamCar]

Okay, I saw that, but thats for ball joints.?

----- and -----

then theres

and

 

[BigRondo]

Okay, I saw that, but thats for ball joints.?

You said the ball joints were bad and you were going to change them.

 

[DreamCar]

You said the ball joints were bad and you were going to change them.

I said i was changing the Control Arms

 

[BigRondo]

I said i was changing the Control Arms

But you said the control arms went bad because of bad ball joints. I'm guessing then that the control arms are going take a dive again unless you fix the ball joints.

 

[DreamCar]

But isnt the ball joint part of the control arm? So if i fixed the control arm wouldnt taht fix the Ball Joint at the same time, since im just replacing the 2.
That means i dont have to press the ball joint.

 

[EasyRhino]

But isnt the ball joint part of the control arm? So if i fixed the control arm wouldnt taht fix the Ball Joint at the same time, since im just replacing the 2.
That means i dont have to press the ball joint.

Okay, the job is easier if you buy the whole control arm/ball joint asembly and replace it instead of pressing out the ball joints, but far more costly. Your choice of course. There is no real wear part on the control arm itself, so you will be tossing a perfectly good part. Just sayin'.

 

[Ronin8002]

Yes, the new arms come with new balljoints. But it's cheaper to press out and replace just the balljoints. 2 new moog brand upper balljoints are around 80 bucks total and you can do the tool loan thing. New arms are at least double that.

You really don't even have to remove the arms from the truck to press out the balljoints and press new ones in. little tricky but it can be done.

 

[DreamCar]

I didnt realize you could loan the Press. My friend told me to just swap the control arms out. now im lost even more. lol, im novice, i fell like just changing the Arms would be beneficial since its easier. but like i said, i just need to figure out which Control arm it is.

I mean i dont want to press the joint and do it completely wrong and think its right..

Do any of you know if ACE/Sears or what ever would loan the press out?

So Ball Joints = cheaper but harder
Control arm = Expensive (by like $20ea) and easier

But can any of you help me out which one is the right control arm?

 

[EasyRhino]

I didnt realize you could loan the Press. My friend told me to just swap the control arms out. now im lost even more. lol, im novice, i fell like just changing the Arms would be beneficial since its easier. but like i said, i just need to figure out which Control arm it is.

I mean i dont want to press the joint and do it completely wrong and think its right..

Do any of you know if ACE/Sears or what ever would loan the press out?

So Ball Joints = cheaper but harder
Control arm = Expensive (by like $20ea) and easier

But can any of you help me out which one is the right control arm?

My post #4 above discusses the press out ball joints, including renting the tools.

Some folks have really had a hard time doing it this way, so I totally understand the concept of just buying new control arm/ball joint assemblies.

I pressed mine out with the loaner tool, but it wasn't exactly recreational fun.

Just swapping out control arm assemblies, although more expensive in parts, is still cheaper than paying a shop to do the work, and involves some level of mechanical skill. Nothing wrong with defaulting to this level - still get the props for not letting a shop overcharge you.

As far as "which control arms", I recommend taking at look at yours and you'll see which ones match.

 

[DreamCar]

My post #4 above discusses the press out ball joints, including renting the tools.

Some folks have really had a hard time doing it this way, so I totally understand the concept of just buying new control arm/ball joint assemblies.

I pressed mine out with the loaner tool, but it wasn't exactly recreational fun.

Just swapping out control arm assemblies, although more expensive in parts, is still cheaper than paying a shop to do the work, and involves some level of mechanical skill. Nothing wrong with defaulting to this level - still get the props for not letting a shop overcharge you.

As far as "which control arms", I recommend taking at look at yours and you'll see which ones match.

Thank you.. and ya the 1st and 2nd look like mine. i dont know what that bar does .. ?:/

And I asked my shop they were telling me it'd be about $900 for the Control Arms and $750 for the Ball Joints -.- Which is what prompted me to ask my friend (Who owns a 02 Explorer too and is on here) to help me out.

 

[Ronin8002]

Wow that's crazy expensive for either option. Definitely cheaper to do it yourself.

That cross piece is for strength. Keeps the upper control arm mounting studs from pivoting laterally and throwing off the front end alignment.

 

[esclamada]

You can replace it for $160, I bought mine (both front left and right) at rockauto with press in ball joints. I don't want to press in the ball joints (save me time) so I just decided to buy the complete set.

some tips on my facebook page (use a pittman arm puller)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20344&id=110528882348605

 

[dsmskyline]

You can also get the control arms off amazon for like $55 each. I need to find them again as I need to replace mine.

On a side note, anyone know where we can get just the bushings and not the entire control arm?