Upper control arms
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: San Diego
Upper control arms
I need to change the upper control arm bushings on my 98 4wd f-150. The question I have is, what is the difference between the upper control arms that have 4wd stamped on them and the ones that have 2wd stamped on them? They seem to be the same other than the stamps. I have a set of control arms (pretty much brand new) from an 03 2wd with great new bushings and ball joints. Can I put these arms on my 98 4wd safely?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: North Chicago
I recently looked into ordering new upper control arms for my truck and the moog part number was the same for both the 2wd and the 4wd. They both looked exactly the same. Both had the ball joints already press in them and everything. I would say that you could use them.
Junior User
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From: North Chicago
i just looked at that site for your 98 and the part number that they give for teh 2wd and 4wd control arms w/ball joint. is the exact same as for an 03. but that is for the Moog part and they have pics on there and they both look realivly the same.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
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sounds like ford is trying to get over. I could only assume that you would have a heavier control arem because one is a 4X4 and the other is not, with heavier duty ball and tierod ends, now that would since. Sounds like the same parts to me though.
Lance
Lance
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Tricky. The shape of the A-arm can impact suspension geometry and behavior. I'd have to eyeball both Ford factory parts to feel comfortable about interchanging the 2wd and 4wd versions of these components. Car manufacturer beancounters do everything in their power to ensure that there are not two different parts in stock that can do the job of one.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: San Diego
i'll have to eyeball them really close and see if there are any differences between the two. but I guess i could just press the bushings out of the 2wd ones and install them on my 4wd arms. Thats all i need to replace really, It just seemed like an optional shortcut, but i was unsure if they were different.
I can't assume they are the same if ford went to the effort of stamping 2wd or 4wd on them to differentiate between them.
do you think I would damage the bushings by pressing them out. I just don't realy want to spend the $150 on the poly bushings if I have those new stock 2wd ones laying around and they are the same.
ya know?
I can't assume they are the same if ford went to the effort of stamping 2wd or 4wd on them to differentiate between them.
do you think I would damage the bushings by pressing them out. I just don't realy want to spend the $150 on the poly bushings if I have those new stock 2wd ones laying around and they are the same.
ya know?
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Elder User
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it shuold not cause any harm to them to press them out and repress them in. thats what they were made for right? If you replace them they will have to be pressed in. IF it were me I would do that before putting the 2WD A arm on.
Good Luck
Lance
Good Luck
Lance
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Junior User
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From: San Diego
I figured out the difference between the two. The 2wd arms have a wider space between the ends. Makes sense...to accomodate for the coil springs. I can't press them out with a normal press because they have to be pressed outwards and the other end of the arm gets in the way of the press. So I will be buying a new set of arms w/ bushings already pressed in. I found a new set of uppers/bushings/ballfoints w/ lower ball joints also on ebay for $139.
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