Problems installing upper control arm

[Cali XLT]

Both front upper control arm bushings busted up at the same time... just outta the blue.

So I ordered a set of replacements and attempted to install them today.

I ran into a number of issues, mostly due to not having the proper tools.. so after a bunch of driving back and forth from Harbor Freight, I got it done.. well, sort of.

Since it took so much time out of my day doing the running around, I only managed to get the passenger side one installed.

The problem I ran into was with the ball joint bolt, or the pinch bolt. It would not go in all the way. I tried jacking up the knuckle to try to move the hole closer to the bolt, but it just pushed the control arm up along with it. There's about 1/2" of the flat surface of the bolt still sticking out.

I experienced a lot of frustrating with this today, so I got fed up and put everything back together, with that bolt not completely set.

What can I do to get it to go in all the way? I tried hammering the top of it, but it wouldn't budge. Am I supposed to lubricate it before I install it?

If I can't get it to go in any more, is it safe to drive to the mechanic to have them fix it?

I'd like to do the driver's side tomorrow, but only if I know how to install it correctly.

Any help would be very much appreciated!


Btw, the parts I have are Mevotech MS40116 and MS40117

 

[cross6]

Sounds like you've got the 2004 arms. This is what I show:

Don't drive it like that. Put the old arms back in.

 

[Cali XLT]

Mine was manufactured in Aug 2004 so I have the correct parts.

 

[colintrax]

I don't know what the differences are between the 04 or 05 upper control arms. But if your truck was bought as a 05, regardless of when it was made. It's an 05. Mine was made in 1996, but it's a 1997 model.

And you shouldn't be driving like that, your upper control arm can come out any second, and the tire is just going to tip over. Won't be pretty

 

[Cali XLT]

You're both missing the point entirely.

If you bother to look at the description of those parts on Rockauto, they specify vehicle manufacture date. Prior to 07/19/05 the upper control arms are a different design than those for Explorers manufactured after that date. I don't know why, ask Ford why they do the stupid things they do.

The ball joint bolt isn't stick out completely and it still has a nut tightly fastened underneath.

I'm looking for solutions to getting it to install properly.

 

[Ronin8002]

put a floor jack under the lower control arm to get it close. then use a ratchet strap to pull the upper and lower control arms together. That should squeeze the last bit of the ball joint stud into the knuckle. Then you can tighten the nut on it. I did this when I replaced the balljoints on my 04 and it worked well