lower ball joint ?

[98_sport]

I can't seem to find the right answer to this. I know replacing the upper ball joints require new UCAs but are the lower ball joints able to replaced without new LCAs? I need to know ASAP because mine are shot beyond belief and need to know before I order two LCAs when i can just get the ball joints

 

[swshawaii]

4WD
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188225

RWD
www.howstuffinmycarworks.com/Explorer_lower_balljoint.html

Moog Info
http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_en1/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_212006_K8695T_En.pdf

 

[vroomzoomboom]

no, you can just replace the lowers on there own. the only time you would have to replace the lower control arm is if the ball joint fits in its hole loosely.

 

[98_sport]

thanks for the replies guys.

 

[swshawaii]

no, you can just replace the lowers on there own. the only time you would have to replace the lower control arm is if the ball joint fits in its hole loosely.

Oversized .006 "may" be a possible solution.

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_en1/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_29009_K8695T006_En.pdf

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Oversized .006 "may" be a possible solution.

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_en1/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_29009_K8695T006_En.pdf

i have never seen them before! i have always thought they were one standard size. good to know!

 

[koda2000]

Moog lower bj's are about $25 each from RockAuto. available in standard and oversize sizes. not that hard to change as long as you're not dealing with a lot of rust.

 

[swshawaii]

i have never seen them before! i have always thought they were one standard size. good to know!

Moog's had them for a while. Raybestos also has Pro Grade OS.
http://www.amazon.com/Raybestos-505...r=2005|2005&carId=001&n=15684181&s=automotive

BTW, I love your '98 Sport. Definitely one of the FINEST vehicles here.

 

[Dono]

I can't seem to find the right answer to this. I know replacing the upper ball joints require new UCAs but are the lower ball joints able to replaced without new LCAs? I need to know ASAP because mine are shot beyond belief and need to know before I order two LCAs when i can just get the ball joints

What do you guys think about the bushings on the LCA? That's really the only thing you gain by doing the whole arm. Doesn't look like a fun job working with the torsion bars.

I have a new lower balljoint installed currently, and its not exactly tight. I need to do something also. It seems pretty attractive to just drop in a larger ball joint.

 

[swshawaii]

The LCA's are load bearing, strange that the bushings don't require replacing as often as the uppers.
Do your lower ball joints actually have movement or play in the control arm hole? If so, that's scary.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Moog's had them for a while. Raybestos also has Pro Grade OS.
http://www.amazon.com/Raybestos-505...r=2005|2005&carId=001&n=15684181&s=automotive

BTW, I love your '98 Sport. Definitely one of the FINEST vehicles here.

thanks, watch the thread on my truck in the next 2 or so weeks. it well get even better.
and funny thing about the ball joints is, we had that problem with dono's truck a few months ago. its still safe to drive, but i had told him he will need to replace the lower control arm in the near future. that and i had a ranger this summer that i bought fixed and sold. one of the problems was both lower ball joints wiggled around. i had to change both control arms. if i would have know they made oversided ones, i would have just got them!

 

[98_sport]

I went ahead and ordered everything from rock auto today. I have an unbelievable amount of play. Tons of squeak and every other noise you could imagine that would come from ball joints. I bought my sport without much inspection. Not only do I need to replace those I also had a leaky thermostat gasket. So I went ahead and bought the thermostat and a new gasket, along with routine things like air filter etc.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

you should also look at the sway bar end links, and bushing that go to the frame. those are another problem with these trucks.

 

[98_sport]

Yeah. I'll have to look into that. Those aren't the only issues, I have still yet to fix the door latches, and my tiny little crack decided to shoot across the windshield yesterday as well. The problems are KO'ing my wallet pretty quick.

 

[Dono]

So? Did you go with the complete LCA, or an oversized balljoint.

If you wen't complete LCA, please make sure you update with issues you have.

 

[swshawaii]

Not only do I need to replace those I also had a leaky thermostat gasket. So I went ahead and bought the thermostat and a new gasket, along with routine things like air filter etc.

If you have the SOHC engine, take a closer look at the lower thermostat housing.
They are notorious for splitting at the seams or leaking at the threaded sensors.
If that's the case, check out the cheaper and improved RH144 housing upgrade link.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239493

http://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/

 

[98_sport]

I have the OHV. But thanks for the tip. I just went with moog ball joints. should ship tomorrow.

 

[inkjunkie]

you should also look at the sway bar end links, and bushing that go to the frame. those are another problem with these trucks.

We have to put new links in ours pretty much yearly. We have a rough 1.6 mile trip on a dirt road to get out of our house. It always lets us know when to replace the links.....no mistaken the hammering sounds they make.....

 

[swshawaii]

We have to put new links in ours pretty much yearly. We have a rough 1.6 mile trip on a dirt road to get out of our house. It always lets us know when to replace the links.....no mistaken the hammering sounds they make.....

My final solution for blown out end link bushings after three failures. (Post #10)

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325617