lower balljoint

[devil driver]

i am trying to replace the lower balljoints on my 96 ex, but i cant get the new one to go in all the way. i tried the jack method and got it started but then it stopped. so then i put the press on it and it still wont go. i can get the snap ring on but it needs to go another 1/4 inch or so to bottom out. i am using i 24 inch breaker bar on the press and it looks like i am bending one of the collers that came with the press. this should not be this hard, right?

 

[devil driver]

so nobody else has had this problem. wow i have the only ex on this forum with this problem, just my luck. i am stuck, really could use some help here. thanks.

 

[Doubt Incarnate]

if you can get the snap ring on i'd say youre fine. as long as it is in stright and not crooked. i've learned from a couple trys on other cars that ball joints are something i spend the money on to have done right. they might have changed the desgn slightly and it may be fully seated, unless it looked exactly identical to the old one. but in anycase if the snap ring can secure it i'd call it done

 

[RacerX]

What's the ball joint brand and part number? I know there are some intended for use in control arms where the hole is a bit oversized.

 

[devil driver]

i am using oreilly auto parts house brand. should be a standerd fit. i know i should use moog but i am unemployed right now and $15 per side with lifetime warranty was how i decided to go. i know its not in all the way because the flange on the balljoint is not against the control arm.

 

[xFatcatx]

If I remember correctly it took a little umph when me and my dad did the drivers side on my 99 sport. We used the jack method, and while jacking up we used a bfh and hit the control arm down. I was actually worried about breaking something while doing it but it slid right in eventually.

 

[mic98xlt]

I did my wife's explorer LBJ's about 2 weeks ago. I used the Autozone brand which were visibly a smaller housing casting than the ford original design. The ball joint itself was the same diameter as the original opening hole in the lower control arm. I rented their ball jack press tool and found I had to use a much smaller collar than the one the Ford used. It was important to make sure that the pressing collar (sleeve) fit exactly over the edge of ball joint housing. If it was me, I would just press the ball joint back out and start again making sure the hole is clean and pressing in exactly straight from the beginning. You can do this repair yourself and I wouldn't pay anyone big bucks to have this done. I gained this experience with the right tool and education from this website. Good luck.

 

[devil driver]

i got it to go in. i pressed it back out, put a little grease in the hole, used the jack and the bfh. i hit it harder and it finally went in. the orielly balljoints look alot like moog with the wide flange. they are made in china so i dont expect much. the ex is our third vehicle so it will only see about 3000 miles a year if that. tomorrow i get to do the other side, i can hardly wait!

 

[xFatcatx]

Glad you got it. And I also used the autozone ball joint and press. It really wasnt that bad of a job.

 

[mic98xlt]

The 2nd one will be much easier now the learning curve is out the way. Nice job!