Looks like I need to replace a worn/bad ball joint on the front passenger's side of wife's 04 Expedition.
Looks like only part(s) listed are assemblies with joint included.
Wondering if anyone has done this already.
I see a couple You Tube videos showing all kinds of disassembly.
I think it looks like pulling wheel and tire, nut off the top of spindle, and two bolts through control arm bushings should get old one off....
See another instructional video showing removing strut top bolts so those bolts through the bushings can be accessed and pulled out.
How involved is this?
How much needs to come apart?
Appreciate the help, advice, warnings

THANKS !!!

 

4x4 or 4x2?
Air or coil springs?

 

Ooops
Sorry
4wd
standard suspension, no air stuff

 

Have the lowers already been replaced once ? Because they are the big wear points, not the uppers. Look at all of them. If the dust boots are torn or split, replace the joint(s). Yes the uppers come as a complete control arm/joint assembly. Get you one of those little joint pushers to pop the joint stem loose. I would buy the complete control arm assembly for the bottom too, rather than just trying to replace the lower joint and not the lower arm and it's bushings. That way you get all new bushings too. The lower assembly takes 90% of the load. Then get the front end aligned and you're good for another 100k miles. You can find everything reasonably priced over at Rock Auto.


-Mike


OTC Ball Joint separator tool ....

 

Looks like the upper is the only place I have seen any play right now.
I will look at the lower closely too.
Appreciate the tips for sure !!!
Will get the tool too

THANKS

 

When I went to do my uppers, I quickly realized the liwers were ready to go once I had it apart. If you can afford them, might as well do them all at once. And never do just one side. If you think about it, add the cost of an alignment onto each ball joint, then add up just the ball joints. Even with moogs, it will save you dough.

 

Appreciate that too.
Had been threatening to sell this for a while now, but did just put new tires on so I will try to look closer at stuff and make sure that the alignment doesn't get wasted.
Thanks again !!

 

I've attached the procedure for the spring, shock, and upper arm R&R.

 

Thanks for that too
I was hoping that the strut/shock/spring did not need to be removed, but...guess not that lucky.

 

The job isnt as bad as you might imagine. I was able to do both sides in 2 hrs with hand tools. The worst part is getting the alignment close enough for driving to the alignment shop. A hint though, use a small floor jack to help lift the lower control arm up during dis/reassembly. I was able to use a lead mallet and large socket for lower balljoints too.

 

Replacing all 4 control arms on my '06 Navigator was the first thing I did to it, the first week I bought it. I spent several hours per side, mainly because I was working slowly and lolly-gagging in between. I'd definitely stand behind what others have said regarding replacing upper and lower, and doing new control arms for the lower. You can only get the uppers as complete assembly (can't get just the ball-joint), but the bushings where they mount to the frame wear too, so I'd replace the entire control arm for the lowers too.

My biggest recommendation, however, is to stay clear of AC Delco stuff. I bought their "Professional" line for all 4 new control arms and 2 months later the brand new ball joints on them were clunking. I re-greased them but no luck-- they're already shot. And I'm very easy on this truck. It only sees pavement and yet they didn't last 2 months. Also bought 2 new AC Delco Professional power steering pumps for this truck and both were defective right out of the box. Now I'll have to go back and re-do everything with Motorcraft parts because I wanted to save a few hundred bucks originally :|

 

<fordsnob> no self respecting ford owner should ever use GM parts! </end fordsnob>


Seriously though... sorry to hear about your issue with AC Delco. Great advice though. And really a shame, they used to be a giod company. I prefer moog for aftermarket personally.

 

Haha yeah put it was difference between $800 in parts and $2,200 in parts on a vehicle I just bought a few days prior. I usually use Moog too, but they weren't available for Amazon Prime and I needed something quick so it was either AC Delco Professional or other garbage I've never even at least heard of lol.