New and BIG Emergency Problem

[Jake98]

I'm new to this site. My wife has been driving our Explorer for a couple of years. We recently were given a 99 Ford Windstar, so now I get to drive our 98 XLT 2WD 4.0L SOHC Explorer. I took it in to get new tires and was told I need new upper and lower ball joints. The quote is expensive and I dont have the money but I need to do something about this. The quote was $1061. I found some parts at Autozone for $250. I was told by a service company that the Aftermarket control arms were difficult to align and I wouldn't be able to find someone willing to do it. The factory parts are $550 total. Do I go with the Aftermarket and try to find someone to align them? These parts did not include and adjustable camber kit. Please send me some advice. Thanks.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome and i also need upper and lower ball joints as well on my 01 sport

 

[Jake98]

Thanks. Do you have any advice on whether to get the aftermarket or factory parts?

 

[techieman33]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194453
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188225

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

jake where in cali u at

 

[Jake98]

Long Beach

 

[IZwack]

Go with the cheapest, aftermarket will work just fine - plenty of us on the forum have used aftermarket. But also take a shop's advice with a grain of salt cauz sometimes they are just trying to make your wallet a little lighter - which has happened before on this forum. So having said that, the ball joints might not necessarily need to be replaced.

What I would do is replace the lowers first because these generally need to be replaced before the uppers. But while you have the front axle outer parts apart, check the upper for any movement (tug the knuckle or ball joint stud).

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

coo jake i am in newport beach

 

[Jake98]

I believe him about the ball joints needing to be replaced. I saw the tires.
Do you know if adjustable cambers are necessary? Even what they are?

 

[IZwack]

Do you know if adjustable cambers are necessary? Even what they are?

If the upper arms and the ball joints are fine, then camber adjustment is not necessary and can not be done because the upper arms are fixed length and the bolts that attach the upper arms to the chassis are not adjustable.

if you still have the stock upper arms, then one side is not really fixed length because it is a 2-piece design while the other side is a 1-piece design. But we need not worry about this because Ford even replaced the 2-piece design with a 1-piece soon after (and the afermarket arms should also be a 1-piece). So just assume that the uppers are fixed length and that the camber can not be adjusted.

 

[techieman33]

you shouldn't need camber adjusters, you'll use the same ones from your current upper control arms. If you check the links I posted above they go through the process of replacing the uppper and lower joints, and what all is required.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

mine are real bad i just dont have the time to replace them but i have to replace them soon my gf bro dad said they are going real bad.

my gf bro dad is a mechanic but my gf and her bro dad live in northern cali and thats where i am right now I am visiting. But I come back home to so cali on the 7th of march.

 

[Jake98]

I am getting pricing for parts right now. The How To post says that Moog suspension is what is recommended, are they expensive? Is there anything local in So. Cal?

 

[IZwack]

mine are real bad i just dont have the time to replace them but i have to replace them soon my gf bro dad said they are going real bad.

my gf bro dad is a mechanic but my gf and her bro dad live in northern cali and thats where i am right now I am visiting. But I come back home to so cali on the 7th of march.

Is that so? Well how interesting. Maybe you should throw a kingpin axle under your Explorer. I know you can do it, just gotta muster up some Pimp-based strength and determination!

 

[techieman33]

I am getting pricing for parts right now. The How To post says that Moog suspension is what is recommended, are they expensive? Is there anything local in So. Cal?

Moog parts are available at just about any parts store, I would get some prices locally, and then compare them to online prices at places like rockauto.com, it may be cheaper to order them online and have them shipped to you.

 

[techieman33]

Is that so? Well how interesting. Maybe you should throw a kingpin axle under your Explorer. I know you can do it, just gotta muster up some Pimp-based strength and determination!

One of those, and that 302 you were talking about swapping in would make your ex unstoppable

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

hmmm let me think

 

[Jake98]

I called Kraegen Auto and they only have the Upper Control by Moog not the lower. Is this available somewhere else?

 

[techieman33]

you just replace the lower ball joint, you don't have to replace the whole control arm, if you want to go that route (more expensive) spicer, and dorman sell the whole arm.

 

[Jake98]

Yeah, I just talked to Kraegen when they called me they mentioned lower control arms and I told him just the ball joints. Thanks.