Hello, new to the forum here but I need help. My 98 Ranger was making an odd squeaking sound coming from the front suspension, what we thought at first was either the brake pads or a bearing, my brother found a few problems. When we had the tires off, he noticed the Driver Side Hub was spinning, but the Passenger Side Hub wasn't spinning, he also saw the ball joint on the passenger side, the dust cap was busted open from weather wear. The ball joint seems to be a very important case according to him so my question is, can I simply replace the ball joint or will I have to rebuild the entire assembly?

This is the ball joint in question, forgive the size.

Attached Images

ball joint cap.jpg (7.5 KB, 38 views)

Usually you just replace the whole a-arm. It is a little bit more expensive but saves you a lot of time over trying to press the ball joint out of the arm.

P.S. If you tried to put a picture in that post, it didn't show up.

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1998 ranger extended cab, 2wd, 4.0 ohv, 5 speed, sony xploid 52 4 way watt radio, 2 pair of pioneer 240 watt speakers, Cobra 29 LX LCD CB radio pushing 100 watts, k&n air filter, 15 inch exploder wheels, dual exhaust with 4 inch stainless tips, 2 12 inch subs with a 1000 watt amp just for the hell of it!

new project: dirt track modified racing at the local saturday night track.

I edited the post, I did post a picture but for some reason it stopped showing.

Kurt,
Here's the deal. After months of dickin around with mine, I found this out.
Ford wants a fortune for replacement ball joints. Aftermarket ball joints will NOT fit the factory upper control arms. You have to buy arm and ball joint aftermarket together.
I would suggest getting a front end kit. There are several and they range from 4 part to 12 part kits. Example Upper control arm with ball joints 2ea. Lower ball joints 2ea. Sway bar linkage 2 ea. Inner tie rod ends 2ea. Outer tie rod ends 2 ea . Would be a 10pc kit. That's what I used. I also got the cam kit for alignment. Have the alignment shop put the ends in the rack and pinion steering (it's easier) when they aligni your truck.
Make sure you get parts for the proper front end. Coil spring front end or torsion spring