Replacing Lower Ball Joints - What else should I replace?

[Black Mammoth]

Hey Guys,

I had my wife take the Explorer in to get an alignment. I'm getting new tires and I knew that the alignment was off a bit. It appears that I have too much negative camber, especially on the driver side. She took the car in to get the alignment and they said it had too much vertical movement. They said I needed lower ball joints. Then they proceded to tell her that they might need to put a caster/toe kit in to get back in alignment. I laughed at that; not unless there is something about the X I don't know. If I install new parts, it shouldn't have any problem taking an alignment as it was never in an accident.

Anyway, the X has about 82k miles on it. I'm going to try and replace the lower ball joints myself. I haven't had a chance to jack up the X to see what else needs to be done. What else do you think I should replace while I'm tearing things apart? I was considering replacing the upper ball joints. Also, for the lower ball joints, do you recommend just replacing the lower ball joint or the entire lower control arm?

Thanks

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

You just replace the lower joint, replacing the entire lower control arm would be a bear of a process and its not necessary in the least.

The upper joint, however, is a different matter. With an OEM setup, you must replace the entire upper control arm, the joint itself is not replaceable. The best option is to avoid the Ford replacement part and go to a parts store and get a Moog brand replacement. They cost $110 or so apiece and the joints in them can be greased and replaced. Based on that cost, I wouldn't do it unless its necessary. While you're down there, take a look at your sway bar end links, shocks, and brakes. Might as well fix any of those that need fixing while you're down there.

 

[Black Mammoth]

You just replace the lower joint, replacing the entire lower control arm would be a bear of a process and its not necessary in the least.

The upper joint, however, is a different matter. With an OEM setup, you must replace the entire upper control arm, the joint itself is not replaceable. The best option is to avoid the Ford replacement part and go to a parts store and get a Moog brand replacement. They cost $110 or so apiece and the joints in them can be greased and replaced. Based on that cost, I wouldn't do it unless its necessary. While you're down there, take a look at your sway bar end links, shocks, and brakes. Might as well fix any of those that need fixing while you're down there.

Thanks for the reply. I was planning on going MOOG. I had seen that I had to do the entire upper arm, but I wasn't sure if I should go ahead and replace it. Generally, I like to replace everything at once in the same area so I don't have to do the work again. I'm not sure if the uppers go nearly as quick as the lowers. Right now, I don't see a need in replacing the tie rods either, but I figured I would see if anyone would suggest doing it

 

[jp450]

The tie rods are cheap (I think I paid 36 for the Moog) and if you have 80000 on it then chances are that you may need to replace them soon. My 99 had troublesome tie rod ends... There was no play but a flat spot that caused a strange rattle.

 

[Black Mammoth]

The tie rods are cheap (I think I paid 36 for the Moog) and if you have 80000 on it then chances are that you may need to replace them soon. My 99 had troublesome tie rod ends... There was no play but a flat spot that caused a strange rattle.

Intersting. What about the inner tie rods? Did you just do the outer rods?

 

[Doug]

If you're lowers are bad I'm willing to bet the upper ones are bad as well or close to it. Doing ball joints yourself isn't that hard but it is an involved process. Do yourself a favor and rent a ball joint press from autozone or similiar place, also get yourself a haynes or chiltons manual. The cam lobes on the upper control arm may or maynot need to be replaced. If they're bent or look worn in any way it would be best to replace them I beleive a set of 4 is about 70 bucks. Also do a search on here ball joints have been addressed alot. Also I would check the inner/outer tie rods for any play if you can't feel any don't worry about them. In my experience the tie rods seem to outlast the balljoints, but they are pretty cheap and if you're under there you may want to replace them too.

 

[jp450]

Intersting. What about the inner tie rods? Did you just do the outer rods?

Yes I just did the outer tie rod ends. When doing the ball joints you need to just about remove them anyways. Just a couple more turns of a wrench will remove them.

 

[KJB]

I just replaced the upper control arms on my `96 Explorer and it was a "piece of cake". I went to Advance Auto and got TRW arms which were identical to the stock arms. While you've got everything torn apart it would be a good time to replace the front shocks as well.