Notices
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

ford ranger ball joint

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 01:18 PM
  #1  
oops's Avatar
oops
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
ford ranger ball joint

Does the upper ball joint press up and out of the control arm or does it press down through the control arm when removing it?
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 01:42 PM
  #2  
g_k50's Avatar
g_k50
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,007
Likes: 5
Ford service manual indicates control arm to be replaced with ball joint.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 01:44 PM
  #3  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by oops
Does the upper ball joint press up and out of the control arm or does it press down through the control arm when removing it?

most of the OEM upper caontrol arms and balljoints are one piece. you have to replace the whole arm. does it have a snap ring on it?. I dont know what direction it comes out from. I ahve read that some people had to remove the arm so they could press in the new BJ
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 03:03 PM
  #4  
oops's Avatar
oops
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
It can be changed separately and I did the other one 2 years ago. I just can't remember which is the right way. I had it backward the last time and it took 3 days to do a simple job. When I got it turned right it pressed out without any problem.

Does anyone have any idea if it presses up toward the top of the truck or down toward the ground?
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 03:04 PM
  #5  
oops's Avatar
oops
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by g_k50
Ford service manual indicates control arm to be replaced with ball joint.
Yes I know what the dealer manual says.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 03:08 PM
  #6  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by oops
Yes I know what the dealer manual says.
copy-that, 10-4, affirmative
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 03:22 PM
  #7  
Eaglefixer's Avatar
Eaglefixer
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
What year Ranger. I just done my upper and lower on my 96 2wd Ranger
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 03:38 PM
  #8  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by Eaglefixer
What year Ranger. I just done my upper and lower on my 96 2wd Ranger
it's a 99. he has it in his profile........we tried to help him but he did not want to answer our questions. he just wanted to tell g_k50 that he knew what g_k50 suggested......I wonder what else the OP knows.........lets see well he would not answer the question about if there is a snap ring.......so he must know that if there is no snap ring .he would never separate the ballpoint form the arm...........what else might the Op know.......well if there was a snap ring on one side......i wonder if he know that the snap ring holds the ball joint tight........hmmmmm..........now if you take the snap ring off............hmm what might be holding the other side in............hmmmmmmmm..................
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:03 PM
  #9  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by oops
It can be changed separately and I did the other one 2 years ago. I just can't remember which is the right way. I had it backward the last time and it took 3 days to do a simple job. When I got it turned right it pressed out without any problem.

Does anyone have any idea if it presses up toward the top of the truck or down toward the ground?

I missed this post. so thats why I posted the wise guy one earlier. I thought you were being rude to g_k50,........my bad. ............you should check the side(the control arm) you want to change for a snap ring. the other arm could have been an aftermarket and this side still original. if you do have a snap ring thinking logically isn't there usually a flange on one side of the ball joint and a snap ring on the other thus sandwiching the arm in between. that being the case I would press away from the snap ring side... if you buy the ball joint in advance you should be able to tell what side gets pressed out by looking at it......Moog is the best product... I changed my upper arms rotors, pads and wheel bearings all at the same time .took about 2 hours a side.....if you do have to change the arm.you have to get it aligned immediately or your tires will be trashed.......... a friendly reminder also if you make a nice profile of your truck similar to mine it helps out a lot.........eaglefixer did not know what year truck you had
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:05 PM
  #10  
oops's Avatar
oops
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
There is no snap ring!. I have figured out which way it goes by reading my post on when I did it the last time. the only difference was that the ball joint was so bad it came out in 3 peices. IF you read any other posts on changing the ball joints in a Ranger made since 98 the first thing anyone who answers says is " the dealer manual says"! IT CAN be done without changing the control arm. Is it a bear? YUP.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:09 PM
  #11  
powersmoked's Avatar
powersmoked
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by oops
There is no snap ring!. I have figured out which way it goes by reading my post on when I did it the last time. the only difference was that the ball joint was so bad it came out in 3 peices. IF you read any other posts on changing the ball joints in a Ranger made since 98 the first thing anyone who answers says is " the dealer manual says"! IT CAN be done without changing the control arm. Is it a bear? YUP.

there was no snap ring and you were able to get the ball joint out of the arm...wow...and the arm did not get trash......that is weird I would have thought the seal/weld would have kept you from doing it.....interesting
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2010 | 04:59 PM
  #12  
oops's Avatar
oops
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
The ball joint is now out and there was no weld or seal holding it in. It's just like the other one was. Well its in 3 seperate pieces. Putting the new one in now. I did NOT take the control arm off. I will post pictures of the control arm still on the truck and the now 3+ pieces of ball joint.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bbsitum
1997 - 2003 F150
1
Jul 16, 2015 05:12 PM
Guest user
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
2
Jan 8, 2012 11:30 PM
Moto7387
1997 - 2003 F150
2
Nov 13, 2010 07:28 PM
jhurd12
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
14
Jul 16, 2008 02:48 PM
03redranger
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
2
Feb 22, 2007 04:28 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:38 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE