Front end Suspension replacement

[ethan10502]

Hello everybody,

I am looking to replace my lower and upper ball joints and tie rods and other pieces. The problem i am having is when i look for kits i am not sure if my right hand Upper Control Arm can be replaced with a one piece design. I have the two piece and was wondering if the one piece works. Please let me know. Thanks

Darren

 

[swshawaii]

Search Results for Query: one piece vs. two piece upper control arm | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

http://www.moogparts.com/pdf/did-you-know/english/DYK10_106_En.pdf

 

[ethan10502]

Thanks SWS. Just what i needed to know.

Darren

 

[swshawaii]

Lot's of great people on EF to help, just ask. From the 1995-01 sticky's. Good luck.

List of Useful Threads - Stock 2nd Gen Forum's Best Threads | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

 

[ethan10502]

Do you guys think I will need a camber bolt kit if I go with the one piece design? If so do I only need it only for the passenger side and not the driver side? Thanks

 

[swshawaii]

Every Explorer is different, and I've never heard of installing only one side. PITA with camber kit installation is the drivers side hard line interference with the rear bolt. Washer is pressed on the bolt and makes it difficult to remove without moving the hard lines. Maybe your alignment shop can advise you. One of EF's most trusty posters (koda2000) didn't need them.

Replacing Camber/Caster Bolts | Page 2 | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

 

[koda2000]

I've replaced 4 sets of upper/lower ball joints on Gen II Explorers/Mountaineers and only once had an alignment shop install a camber bolt kit (and on only one side). I recently had a nightmare with that upper CA moving (twice) and ruining the alignment and front tires. This was eventually fixed by my regular alignment guy and he seemed surprised that the kit was only installed on one side... Note: I've never replaced the 2-piece passenger UCA with a 1-piece, but I know it can be done. IDK if using a 1-piece UCA on the passenger side would mean needing the camber bolt kits, but it's a possibility. I don't think the alignment shop would know until they actually do the alignment. It's all about being able to get the front end w/in "factory spec".

 

[ethan10502]

Thanks you guys are awesome

 

[CDW6212R]

If you keep your ride height near stock, it should not need camber washers etc. The one piece right UCA work fine to replace the stock parts. I have only used the one piece UCA's, on four trucks so far. All of mine I have lowered a little, so I always have installed the camber kits. The alignment range of each truck is different, so don't be surprised if they tell you that it could use a camber kit anyway. Those kits are about $30 depending on which brand etc.

 

[MAS Tequila]

But...while you have the control arm off, why would you take the chance of not being able to get the alignment correct?

I went ahead and put the camber bolt kits in.

They go in a lot easier than the stock set-up does.

 

[fastpakr]

Same here - I couldn't see replacing upper control arms without installing a camber kit at the same time.

 

[Turdle]

Yep, same here. The alignment guy will charge bunches to change them if needed, and might even charge for an incomplete alignment due to the time required to discover the need for them.

 

[koda2000]

Like I've said, I've never needed the camber bolt kits. If the alignment shop can get the alignment w/in factor spec w/out the camber bolt kits, why buy them and/or install them? In spec is in spec. You can buy them before your alignment just in case, but if you do, buy them locally so you can return them if not needed.

The one set the another alignment shop did install (on one side) caused me more problems than they fixed, as they came loose twice and I'm not so sure they were even needed. My regular alignment guy said that, in his experience, it was not uncommon for the camber bolts to loosen. IDK, but I respect his experience and opinion.