Upper control arms 2002 XLT

[SnookMan]

Took my truck to the dealer yesterday to have the "door ajar" issue resolved. Unfortunately, I didn't search on here first and see how easy it was to replace, or the quick wd-40 band aid........
But the dealer told me that my front upper ball joints are shot, and that they recommend swaping out the whole control arms. Of course they qouted me $810. After dishing out $200 for the door switch replacement, my funds are a little low... I called around a few auto prt stores and nobody has a complete control arm for my year. In fact, NAPA stated that they only sell replacement ball joints and that the complete arm assembly is not an option. I want a Moog part, but haven't been able to locate them. Even on their website it doesn't show a complete upper assembly, only ball joints.
Anybody have any advice on this, or maybe a lead to point me in the right direction? I need both sides (drive and passenger) upper control arm assemblies....ASAP.
Anybody do this on a similar year and what part did you go with?

 

[EasyRhino]

I replaced my front ball joints (all of them) several months ago. Ford sells the upper ball joints complete already installed in the upper control arms. Expensive but easy to replace.

Many auto parts stores will sell you the ball joints themselves. They area a press-in fit, not like old style ball joints. The auto parts stores will retn you the tools kit to press out the old and press in the new ball joints for free.
The new ball joints are about 50 each, so it's a cheap job.

There is an outstanding how to thread on this somewhere on this forum, search for it. Edit: here it is: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249135&highlight=ball+joints. This guy goes through the job step by step with good pictures.

Not the hardest job in the world, but it helps to have a place to work, a good set of tools, and some wrenching chops.

BTW, why do you say asap? Although you do not want to be driving around with bad ball joints, they take a while to fail. The few times I have taken my truck to the dealership you would think it was going to disintigrate that minute the way they push the repair sales. If you are not feeling poor front end behavior, you have some time. How many miles on your truck? My OEM ball joints lasted 100K miles.

 

[SnookMan]

Rhino, thanks man!!!!!!! I did a search and didn't come across this write up for some ereason. I came across the other one for the older model, but not mine. After seeing the how to, I'll be pulling mine apart in the next week or two for sure. Stealership qouted $810+ tax, but thanks to potroast's write up it will cost me $90 and a few hours. I'm very mechanically inclined, just lazy. But for a savings of that much I might have to light a fire under my @ss and get too work lol

 

[EasyRhino]

Rhino, thanks man!!!!!!! I did a search and didn't come across this write up for some ereason. I came across the other one for the older model, but not mine. After seeing the how to, I'll be pulling mine apart in the next week or two for sure. Stealership qouted $810+ tax, but thanks to potroast's write up it will cost me $90 and a few hours. I'm very mechanically inclined, just lazy. But for a savings of that much I might have to light a fire under my @ss and get too work lol

I reckon that the pot roast saved me several hundred, for sure. I was not sure about tackling this job until he put up the plug and play w/pics.

Good luck w/ it.

 

[2002GreyHD150]

hey all, in the middle of doing front wheel bearings/hub & now the upper ball joints are torn. 175K, I am not complaining.

I am comfy doing just press in ball joints up top, but curious if doing the Doorman arms is more logical given the Monty's mileage?

Or is there anyone who has found a poly-urethane upper arm bushings?

Thoughts?

Rob

 

[Dwelves02XLT]

I am comfy doing just press in ball joints up top, but curious if doing the Doorman arms is more logical given the Monty's mileage?


Thoughts?

Rob

Honestly, I wasnt comfortable pressing ball joints, plus with my vehicle having 154k miles on it, I just decided to spend the extra extra money and replace both upper and lower control arms on both sides. As a matter of fact today (19 April) it took me 8hrs to replace all four quick struts, lower/upper arms, front bearing hub assembly, brake pads, new rotors, stabilizer bar bushings and thats with a air gun. In the long run, the truck drives and handles like a new vehicle compared to before. First time every doing any suspension work of this caliber, but to me I thought it was worth it and the noises all went away.

 

[Guardrail]

Easy 02 ball joints

Hello all my friend & I just finished ,all 4 ball joints in 3 hrs on my 02 4wd an no the upper control arm dose not have to come out no air an a harbor freight press an a huge castle nut from a old f-350 oh also rear struts 1.5 hrs look at what your doing think outside the box, cost $240 all parts an $40 crab cake platters now that's a gooooood time

 

[dla]

Try Rock Auto

Rock Auto is my go-to internet parts store. They show upper control arm assemblies.