Upper and Lower Balljoints
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1
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From: Florida
Upper and Lower Balljoints
Got a question for the forum:
I'm getting creaking/squeaking noises from my 1998 4x2 2.5L XLT Extracab's front suspension. Haven't noticed any play in the steering, nor any abnormal wear in the tires, but inspection of the steering system shows the lower balljoint grease retainers cracked, so I'm suspecting new balljoints are in order sometime soon.
Question: My Haynes manual for the 1998 series says that the balljoints are an integral component of the upper and lower control arms in the newer Ranger suspension system, so in order to replace the balljoints one has to replace the control arms/balljoints as an assembly. However, both Ford and Autozone are stocking replacement upper and lower balljoints which they say can be pressed in (and Autozone will loan the balljoint press tool out as well...). So what's the deal? Can the balljoints on the newer suspension systems be replaced without having to replace the control arms as an assembly?
Thanks
sk
I'm getting creaking/squeaking noises from my 1998 4x2 2.5L XLT Extracab's front suspension. Haven't noticed any play in the steering, nor any abnormal wear in the tires, but inspection of the steering system shows the lower balljoint grease retainers cracked, so I'm suspecting new balljoints are in order sometime soon.
Question: My Haynes manual for the 1998 series says that the balljoints are an integral component of the upper and lower control arms in the newer Ranger suspension system, so in order to replace the balljoints one has to replace the control arms/balljoints as an assembly. However, both Ford and Autozone are stocking replacement upper and lower balljoints which they say can be pressed in (and Autozone will loan the balljoint press tool out as well...). So what's the deal? Can the balljoints on the newer suspension systems be replaced without having to replace the control arms as an assembly?
Thanks
sk
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 940
Likes: 2
From: Morris Plains, NJ
Upper and Lower Balljoints
My experience was with the 4x4 suspension. The lower ball joints on the 4x4 can be pressed out. The uppers can be, but the upper control arm might take a beating doing it. That is why they stock the entire control arm as well.
Be careful at Autozone. I bought my lowers there and they were listed exactly for my truck. Unfortunately, they were too small for the hole and I ended up scrambling for Moog parts somewhere else at the last minute.
Be careful at Autozone. I bought my lowers there and they were listed exactly for my truck. Unfortunately, they were too small for the hole and I ended up scrambling for Moog parts somewhere else at the last minute.
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: upstate N.Y.
Upper and Lower Balljoints
You're in luck!
I happen to have a 1998 extra cab 3 litre that did the exact same thing. It drove me nuts. the dealer said replacing the steering rod ends is how they fix it because sometimes they just creak like that.
I popped the rod bearing ends loose and uncrimped the bearing rubber boot retainers, slipped the boots out of the way and slapped a little grease on them and worked them around a bit and put it all back together. I haven't had a creak since. That was 25,000 miles ago. I'm now at 85,000miles and the bearings are still plenty tight and still don't creak. And it didn't cost me a dime.
It amazes me that those little steering rod end bearings could be the cause of such an annoying creaking noise.
Hope it works for you too.
I happen to have a 1998 extra cab 3 litre that did the exact same thing. It drove me nuts. the dealer said replacing the steering rod ends is how they fix it because sometimes they just creak like that.
I popped the rod bearing ends loose and uncrimped the bearing rubber boot retainers, slipped the boots out of the way and slapped a little grease on them and worked them around a bit and put it all back together. I haven't had a creak since. That was 25,000 miles ago. I'm now at 85,000miles and the bearings are still plenty tight and still don't creak. And it didn't cost me a dime.
It amazes me that those little steering rod end bearings could be the cause of such an annoying creaking noise.
Hope it works for you too.
