Upper ball joints
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
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From: Seattle
Upper ball joints
Since I'm getting the impression the upper ball joints on my 2000 aren't replaceable, I get the sneaky suspicion that when they wear out I have to replace the entire control arm - just like you do on the Torinos. Is that correct? What's a control arm run these days?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 179
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From: san Diego Cali
no you don't have to replace the entire control arm. the ball joints are press fitted. you press them out and press them back in. id take it to have it done. that way if they bend the control arm while doing it the they have to replace the control arm not you. just my opinion about that though. if you have a way to press them in and out yourself you could do that also.
good luck
good luck
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 871
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The pricing has become pretty competitive on the control arms.. and it's much much easier that way.. a lot less hassle. By the time you pay someone to do the press work for you, you won't save that much money.. Plus there are a lot of issues with other brand ball joints fitting in the ford control arms.. IF it's even possible on your model.
A couple years ago.. the Motorcraft brand control arms listed out at about $135 each.. but now that there are competing brands.. you can find them for $85-90 each...
Now just the ball joint tends to cost $40-50.. but you'll probably have to pay $20 or so each to get them pressed in/out.. then the hassles if they don't fit, etc... just isn't worth it to me.
I actually replaced one not too long ago, and surprisingly enough the ball joint was fine... but the control arm bushings were wasted! First time I've seen that!
HAHA good luck.
A couple years ago.. the Motorcraft brand control arms listed out at about $135 each.. but now that there are competing brands.. you can find them for $85-90 each...
Now just the ball joint tends to cost $40-50.. but you'll probably have to pay $20 or so each to get them pressed in/out.. then the hassles if they don't fit, etc... just isn't worth it to me.
I actually replaced one not too long ago, and surprisingly enough the ball joint was fine... but the control arm bushings were wasted! First time I've seen that!
HAHA good luck.
