Upper Ball Joint Replacement
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
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Upper Ball Joint Replacement
I have a 98 Ranger that needs a right side upper ball joint. I went to Autozone and the part they ordered in looks nothing like my existing control arm. The part, which cost $42.00, is a partial control arm with a pressed in ball joint, the arm has slotted holes to either side and a 90 degree return at one end.
After returning it, and scratching our heads a bunch, we ordered a complete assembly, which we think is going to be a replacement control arm which accepts the partial control arm with ball joint.
I ordered the whole new assembly and they took back the partial control arm and ball joint. I'm not very confident that this is 100% correct, and although my local Autozone guys are great, they don't have me fully convinced.
Has anyone run into this? I know it's early for ball joints on a 98, but I just rolled 127K.
After returning it, and scratching our heads a bunch, we ordered a complete assembly, which we think is going to be a replacement control arm which accepts the partial control arm with ball joint.
I ordered the whole new assembly and they took back the partial control arm and ball joint. I'm not very confident that this is 100% correct, and although my local Autozone guys are great, they don't have me fully convinced.
Has anyone run into this? I know it's early for ball joints on a 98, but I just rolled 127K.
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
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Upper Ball Joint Replacement
Hi, I have a question about ball joints. I have been told by a dealership and an independant shop that my lower ball joints are loose and need replacement. The independant guy suggested I do the uppers as long as I'm at it.
My Ranger is a '96 with only 73k! Is it a bit early for the joints to go??
Thanks for the info!
My Ranger is a '96 with only 73k! Is it a bit early for the joints to go??
Thanks for the info!
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
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Upper Ball Joint Replacement
Thanks for the link to Oreilly's but I still have a problem.... they want $75 plus shipping for the ball joint and I still have to remove the old one and press in the new one. How involved is this process and is it worth the trouble to save $40? There's also the concerns of taking apart the upper control arm bushing to get the ball joint in a press and then reinstalling them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,016
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Upper Ball Joint Replacement
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Nov-02 AT 08:51 AM (EST)]You get what you pay for. I would imagine the control arm you are getting from autozone is some cheap crap made in china. I would rather spend the 75.00 then buy parts from autozone.
I have a small press and I did not remove the upper and lower arms to press in the balljoints. I did put the balljoints in the freezer before installing. This makes them easier to install. Cold metal is slightly smaller then hot metal so they fit in the arms better for installation.
If you want to remove the upper and lower arms it really is not that hard but is very time consuming if you have never done it before. Just make sure you have new cotter pins and a torque wrench. A pickle fork will be very helpful too....... You might as well go all the way and repack your front wheel bearings and replace the brake pads and have the rotors turned if needed because you will be taking those items off as well.
I have a small press and I did not remove the upper and lower arms to press in the balljoints. I did put the balljoints in the freezer before installing. This makes them easier to install. Cold metal is slightly smaller then hot metal so they fit in the arms better for installation.
If you want to remove the upper and lower arms it really is not that hard but is very time consuming if you have never done it before. Just make sure you have new cotter pins and a torque wrench. A pickle fork will be very helpful too....... You might as well go all the way and repack your front wheel bearings and replace the brake pads and have the rotors turned if needed because you will be taking those items off as well.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 70
From: Elk River, MN
Upper Ball Joint Replacement
The dealer right hand side upper control arms you describe that have adjustable slots are only used on 4x4 suspensions. I take it yours is a 4x2. Dealer 4x2 upper control arms are available. Re-check your dealer for the correct part.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5
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Upper Ball Joint Replacement
Well, I completed the job finally. It took about an hour from start to finish. I suggest that anyone who runs into this simply orders the part from Ford. I spent time and money waiting for parts to come in from parts stores only to discover they were incorrect. The odd thing was, they were ordereing the correct part based on the catalogs they had, and this was at two different dealers with two different suppliers (moog was one of them).
It cost a lot more but I got my truck back on the road and I don't have to drive my wife's Hyundai anymore!
It cost a lot more but I got my truck back on the road and I don't have to drive my wife's Hyundai anymore!