Upper control arm
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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Upper control arm
Does replacing the upper control arm with the ball joint need a pickle fork and compression tool to do the job or is that just when replacing the lower ball joints. This would be done on a 2004 Navigator.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,218
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From: Parkville, MO (KC)
The lower ball joint was VERY tight. I do not know if ball joint compression tools would have done it. In my case, I beat it out with a BFH and then removed the lower arms and pressed the new ones in.
Upper is easy, assuming that you are replaceing the shocks while you are at it. Just bolt on...
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 125
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A few weeks ago I replaced the front end on a 2003 expedition. Assuming no major differences to a 2004 nav, the ball joint will separate from the knuckle without a pickle fork. You may have to tap/hit the knuckle on the side until they break apart.
You will need a big breaker bar and some deep metric sockets, I can't remember for sure but I think the nuts on the control arms are 22MM. You'll need a 30MM for the bottom nut on the shock and it will be really tight.
I would suggest replacing the lower ball joints as well, mine were perished as were the top. And don't forget the sway bar end links and outer tie rod ends. I bought the lower countrol arms new on Rock Auto and they were cheaper than the upper and I did not have to press out the old ball joints. Suggest buying the good stuff, I used the Raybestos Pro with 2 yr warranty. There is lots of Chinese stuff out there, not sure about the fitment and the quality.
You will need a big breaker bar and some deep metric sockets, I can't remember for sure but I think the nuts on the control arms are 22MM. You'll need a 30MM for the bottom nut on the shock and it will be really tight.
I would suggest replacing the lower ball joints as well, mine were perished as were the top. And don't forget the sway bar end links and outer tie rod ends. I bought the lower countrol arms new on Rock Auto and they were cheaper than the upper and I did not have to press out the old ball joints. Suggest buying the good stuff, I used the Raybestos Pro with 2 yr warranty. There is lots of Chinese stuff out there, not sure about the fitment and the quality.
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