Lower Ball Joint Replacement How To (lots of Pictures)

[sportb]

Upper and lower need replacing...

All four need replacing on my 2001 sport 4x4. I cant afford to do all at the same time so can I do the upper ball joints then the lower, lower then upper, passenger then driver...etc...?

 

[techieman33]

I would do the lowers, then the uppers and then get an alignment.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, the lower ball joint alone will have almost no effect on the alignment. Changing the upper control arms(to get the ball joint), that ruins the alignment immediately.

Do both of the uppers just before getting an alignment.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Double Ditto-I did the lowers, no effect on alignment. Uppers are "okay" for a little while but looser than what they should be. I plan on doing the uppers (entire UCA) and tie rod ends along with the caster adjuster bolts soon at one time and then springing for an alignment right after.

Is the jury out on what is better for the passenger side-the Moog 1 piece or the Moog 2 piece?? I have already purchased the Moog drivers side but havent decided on the passengers side yet. Read the 2 piece makes it easier to align, but also read the 1 piece is fine as well by Moog to align.

Anyone? About a $20 diff, but I dont want to do this again, so whatever is the "best option" is what I will be getting.

THanks

 

[storlied]

Oh for crying out loud! I've been a member on this forum for idk how long and there never has been a single Fairbanks member on here since I've joined... and Just right after I move to Anchorage.... a Fairbanks member signs up.... WTH!

 

[techieman33]

Oh for crying out loud! I've been a member on this forum for idk how long and there never has been a single Fairbanks member on here since I've joined... and Just right after I move to Anchorage.... a Fairbanks member signs up.... WTH!

I just searched and found 18 members listed in fairbainks

 

[CDW6212R]

I just searched and found 18 members listed in fairbainks

Funny!


The one piece right UCA is great, I just bought and installed my second one. The alignment shop has no trouble with it. I got Advance Auto to sell it for $125 instead of their $150 I believe price. They stock the Moog parts, but not the next one. I "wanted" the cheaper UCA's, and they offered to deal on the Moog parts, to avoid ordering the others.

 

[storlied]

Active members. Everyone that you found quit visiting this forum, or moved.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Active members. Everyone that you found quit visiting this forum, or moved.

However, none of this is related to lower ball joints

 

[GRNMACHINE]

CDW thanks for the info! Thats good to know.

 

[ifflandm]

Hi,

I say your postings on replacing control arms and ball joints. I need to do both on both sides. IT looks like you do not need to "unload" the torsion bars on the uppers, just the lowers. Is this true? If so, it looks like you just used a jack to do this. HOw much do you jack up the wheel to do this. Thanks!

 

[GRNMACHINE]

I did not "unload" or touch the torsion bars when doing lowers. Not sure if it is a recommended thing to do or not.

 

[ThePhoenix]

no need if you are not replacing the entire control arm

 

[ThePhoenix]

hey I was looking on rock auto at control arms...what does "service grade" mean on the parts description? It's cheaper...but why?

 

[dean1997sport]

hey I was looking on rock auto at control arms...what does "service grade" mean on the parts description? It's cheaper...but why?

I was wondering about that too, I bought "service grade" uppers from rockauto.

 

[ThePhoenix]

did you get them/ install them yet? how is the quality?

 

[dean1997sport]

Yea I put them in a couple of months ago, quality is good. I made that decision after reading all the posts that say the uppers dont wear out as fast as the BJ's.
Mine have a grease fitting and look better than the OEM arms IMO, but they were shot.

 

[ThePhoenix]

wow, you may have opened up an avenue for me to fix my suspension sooner, as these parts are affordable for broke me. Thanks for the info

 

[dean1997sport]

Yea I'm broke too I had to do it as cheap as possible. Right now rockauto has a sale on items that are going off inventory, I got an email from them pro grade BJ's for $18.00 a piece, inner tie rods $8.99.

 

[ThePhoenix]

can you email that to me? chazthephoenix@gmail.com or pm me

I just ordered a wheel bearing and rear sway bar bushing kit. I REALLY need to do the ball joints as they are sqwaking like a parrot.

I wonder if the 5% explorer forums discount applies to closeout items