ford explorer bottom ball joints

[DIANAMAYHEW]

can anyone help me I live in the uk and own an explorer 1998 and need to get the bottom ball joints replaced, my local garage cannot get any confirmation from ford dealer on the correct way to fit them. My local gara ge feel the only way you can fit them is to heat them up and then cool them down once fitted to shrink fit them can anyone confirm this. I am finding it very difficult to get anyone to do this job for me, please help

 

[Ian5700]

You are not supposed to heat them up. You press the old ball joints out and then press the new balls joints in. If you are really stuck Ford will sell you complete wishbones that this garage can fit, however this is not necessary, and increases the price of parts, the lower balls joints from ford are only 33.00 each, a complete wishbones assembley with ball joints in 130.00 each. So you don't really want to spend that kind of money if it is not necessary.

You may also want to check and or replace you CV boots, are they are already working in that area.

 

[suprabrew]

The lower ball joints are replaceable, it's not difficult. They don't require heat to remove or install. They can be driven out (down through the control arm they are pressed into) with a hammer and the new joint hammered into the control arm. However, it is much easier to use a special C-clamp tool to press them in and out. First remove the wheel, then remove the brake caliper and rotor. Seperate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.Seperate the upper and lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Then, simply press-out (or hammer-out) the old joint. Reassembly is the reverse of above. New replacement lower ball joints in North America cost about $40. (US) each.