Ball Joints
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 5
From: All over Texas
Hi and welcome. It's not an impossible task, but will take a while to remove all the brake and suspension components, pop the old joint out and install the new one. If you're not too sure of your abilities, it would be best to have a shop do the work.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Western PA
Thank you for the welcoming to the form. I know I am capable to remove the ball joints as I have done extensive mechanical work on automobiles over the last 18 years. I was trying to find a quicker way to gain access to the lower ball joint. The service technician at the local Ford service station said the entire spindle needed to be removed before the lower ball joint could be accessed. 
I was hoping the spindle could be disconnected with out removing the axle shaft. This would allow me to move the assembly out of the way to gain access to press out the lower ball joint. If I can not do this I will replace both the upper and lower joints at the same time.
I was hoping the spindle could be disconnected with out removing the axle shaft. This would allow me to move the assembly out of the way to gain access to press out the lower ball joint. If I can not do this I will replace both the upper and lower joints at the same time.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Hi Shawn,
You don't have to remove the whole axle but you do have to push it in to get it out of the hub so you can remove the whole knuckle (spindle). The nut on the end of the axle is 36mm so make sure have a socket for that.
The upper balljoint comes with the whole control arm. If you replace that you'll need to get an alignment done after. Most alignment shops will want to install "cams" and bolts to adjust the upper control arm so you might want to install that kit while you have the control arm off.
Not to try to take any business away from the Expy forum but if you look in the 97-03 F150 forum you'll find lots of info on replacing ball joints.
You don't have to remove the whole axle but you do have to push it in to get it out of the hub so you can remove the whole knuckle (spindle). The nut on the end of the axle is 36mm so make sure have a socket for that.
The upper balljoint comes with the whole control arm. If you replace that you'll need to get an alignment done after. Most alignment shops will want to install "cams" and bolts to adjust the upper control arm so you might want to install that kit while you have the control arm off.
Not to try to take any business away from the Expy forum but if you look in the 97-03 F150 forum you'll find lots of info on replacing ball joints.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Western PA
Thank you Dave and everyone who has responded to my post. The procedures you described allowed me to complete the job in 1.5 hours and a couple of beers 
My total cost was under $50.00 for a life time part from NAPA. This was a lot better than the $206.00 Plus tax at the local dealer. Once again thank you for the information and I hope one day I can help someone on this forum 
My total cost was under $50.00 for a life time part from NAPA. This was a lot better than the $206.00 Plus tax at the local dealer. Once again thank you for the information and I hope one day I can help someone on this forum
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 0
Did the dealer try to hit you up for a new lower a-arm as well, or does Ford offer the lower balljoint as a separate part?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Western PA
I believe they were only going to replace the ball joint. The service manager did not make it sound like he was replacing the entire arm.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Maybe warranty is different in the US than in Canada but I dont think so.
Here if we replace just the ball joints we'll get charged back for the job.
Ford sent out a bulletin a while back about this.
Here if we replace just the ball joints we'll get charged back for the job.
Ford sent out a bulletin a while back about this.