1999 E 250 4.2

Did my front brakes today. Was able to get a good look at the front end that I know needs work.

What is the bushing called on the bottom of the spindle connection ? It has a good bit of play and looks to be shot. On both sides.





wheel spindle on right / bottom reddish bushing ?





wheel spindle on right / bottom reddish bushing ?

 

These are ball joints --- on this vehicle ???

Had something else in my mind for them x*)#@@} ??

I'm embarrassed for asking...

 

Yup, lower ball joints. Were you expecting kingpins? The upper ball joints are just above. Do all 4 when the motivation strikes. Get good quality ball joints such as Moog brand.

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 190K miles

 

Do both at the same . There is a sequence to do them and it takes a special tool to press them out and put the new ones in.

 

FWIW those ball joints look to be factory original---lack of grease Zerks is the clue. Appearance-wise they're very rusty, especially compared to the surrounding parts.

I use nothing but Moog sourced from Amazon---wouldn't trust this job to any other brand. In fact any front suspension part replaced is Moog.

 

Soak them in your favorite penetrating oil once a day for a few days before your service.

Rent the ball joint press for $0 from Advance/autozone.

It is do-able for a backyard mechanic IF you have a good, large vise. I did mine without a vise and HIGHLY regretted it.

 

Not sure if photos here will display for you but check this tutorial: Guide To Replacing Balljoints On Ford E150 Econoline Vans - Ford Trucks

The process should be similar enough for all E-Series vans.

 

It nets to $0. You buy the tool for a reasonable full price then get full credit when you return it. Ask for the better quality tools in the loaner program. Don't get the cheap stuff for sale in the aisles.

If you had a ball joint press, why did you need a vice? I don't have a vice. At most I would have used the C-clamp I use to retract brake caliper pistons.

I can't see the pictures anymore

I read a glowing recommendation for XRF ball joints - http://www.xrfchassis.com/parts-balljoints.htm - in one of the F-series sections and went with that. No complaints yet but our van does about 2000 miles a year.

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 190K miles

 

Need a vice to hold the spindle while cranking torque on the ball joint press.

 

Having now watched two full sets of ball joints replaced nothing more than the dedicated C-clamp press for this task is really necessary. In one instance a set was installed using a hammer in conjunction with a 2" thick steel plate specially made. It had thru holes of various sizes allowing for full support of the spindle as force was applied. Of course a very talented guy swinging the hammer made this look like kids play.

As for the link I included---too bad the photos no longer display, I thought it was just my ISP acting up. Not sure how helpful my photos would be but here's a link anyway: http://s184.photobucket.com/user/JWA...?sort=3&page=1

Additionally here's something somewhat related about upgrading front brakes: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...th-photos.html

Have never heard of the XRF Chassis brand---interesting.

 

You'll need a vise. I promise.
If no vise, then who/what/how will the spindle hold still while torquing the ball joint press?

Having no vise, I ended up threaded the lug nuts to the wheel/tire and then standing on it while pressing the parts in/out. Very frustrating.

I suppose if you have the custom made steel plate then it's possible... but seriously... what's more likely? a vise or a custom made tool?

and regarding the hammer: not my idea of proper install of new Moog suspension parts.

 

Ah. I put towels on the floor and held the knuckle with my foot You wouldn't need a vice, you'd need a big honking vice to hold the knuckle. A vice that size would break my piddling work surface. On another car I attached a hub to the knuckle, bolted (nutted?) on a wheel then stood on the wheel. One does what one can.

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 190K miles