Ball Joint Time
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Ball Joint Time
Well I've been putting it off since last summer when I tackled the A/C but I'm ready to tackle it now. The 96 RWD 3.0 has been making some annoying sounds from the front drivers side wheel (a very quiet tapping noise) along with some clunking from the same wheel every now and then when turning.
So I raise the vehicle and grab the drivers side wheel and try to shake it north to south and its good and stiff so tie rods should be ok then from west to east and there is noticeable play the only thing I can think of based on this is balljoints.
I was able to find some balljoints however the Ford manual says that the balljoints and control arms are replaced as an assembly. Theres no way I'm wasting money on new control arms when only the ball joint is to blame.
So what would I need to do to make these bolt on balljoints work. Are the stock ones riveted on or something?
So I raise the vehicle and grab the drivers side wheel and try to shake it north to south and its good and stiff so tie rods should be ok then from west to east and there is noticeable play the only thing I can think of based on this is balljoints.
I was able to find some balljoints however the Ford manual says that the balljoints and control arms are replaced as an assembly. Theres no way I'm wasting money on new control arms when only the ball joint is to blame.
So what would I need to do to make these bolt on balljoints work. Are the stock ones riveted on or something?
Last edited by krankshaft; Mar 11, 2007 at 12:35 AM.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Ok thanks and I got the above messed up top to bottom I had play. Not side to side.
Well looks like I'll have to remove the control arms in order to get the clearance to drill the rivets out.
Is it really that hard to use bolts Ford
?
Well looks like I'll have to remove the control arms in order to get the clearance to drill the rivets out.
Is it really that hard to use bolts Ford
?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,016
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From: SoCal
Before you go too far, are you sure of your diagnosis? I always thought that moving the wheel east-west checks the tie-rods, and north-south checks the ball joints?
You can check the upper ball joint easily enough by just separating it from the spindle. All you need to do is to remove the pinch bolt, and joint should just pull right out of the spindle mount. Then you can see if the ball joint is really loose, or if the control arm bushings are worn.
Ken is right about drilling out those rivets, but it is a lot easier to do it with the arms out of the car.
You can check the upper ball joint easily enough by just separating it from the spindle. All you need to do is to remove the pinch bolt, and joint should just pull right out of the spindle mount. Then you can see if the ball joint is really loose, or if the control arm bushings are worn.
Ken is right about drilling out those rivets, but it is a lot easier to do it with the arms out of the car.
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Elder User
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Yeah I wrote it in reverse top to bottom was the play not north to south.
I'll give everything a second over and check it out again if I'm going to have to remove the arms I see no reason why I shouldn't replace the bushings if they're showing their age.
I'll give everything a second over and check it out again if I'm going to have to remove the arms I see no reason why I shouldn't replace the bushings if they're showing their age.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
One final question I intend to use threadlocker red on the bolt threads but what should I torque the bolts to?
I'm a fanatic about getting the torque right especially on major suspension components.
I'm a fanatic about getting the torque right especially on major suspension components.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kiev, Ukraine
After use of threadblocker red to remove bolts is so hared like to remove riviets.
I have the other quation, my van was inspected in police. they say, all suspention are ik, but I need new rubber covers of lower ball joints. I nave no play in BJs, but water may whash lubricant away of lower BJs. So the quation is can I bue these covers and what if the size of covers (I need to remove them to measure).
If you have old removed lower BJs measure please diametet of holes in this cover.
Thanks!
I have the other quation, my van was inspected in police. they say, all suspention are ik, but I need new rubber covers of lower ball joints. I nave no play in BJs, but water may whash lubricant away of lower BJs. So the quation is can I bue these covers and what if the size of covers (I need to remove them to measure).
If you have old removed lower BJs measure please diametet of holes in this cover.
Thanks!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: SoCal
I've been trying to find new boots for the ball joints as well; one of mine has cracked. But I don't know if you can get them from any aftermarket sources. A company called Energy Suspensions makes polyurethane parts, including some ball joint boots. But they are not exact match for those on the Aero, so they will not seal. So far, I just clean up and pump grease through the joint with the cracked boot more often. Maybe it's time to visit the scrap yard again...