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07-05-2011, 11:24 AM
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345,000 and counting '97
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 19
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97 2wd ball joints: upper and lower?
Well, I changed my bearings a few weeks ago and discovered that the lower ball joints on the passenger side were totally shot. Like dangerously shot, with a huge amount of play in the wheel. I couldn't really tell if the upper was bad or not because the bottom was really horrible.
Should I be safe and replace the upper as well when I'm doing the lower, or is it going to be too much trouble? I've got all the tools and access to a Ford tech for the price of a few beers if I run into trouble. I'm going to do both sides, because the driver's side lower is bad too. So, basically, should I do both upper and lower?
Is there anything else I should change/swap out/look for being broken when I'm this deep into the suspension?
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1997 2wd, 2.3l, 5spd, 345,000 miles. Original motor and tranny.
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07-05-2011, 11:27 AM
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Tank Diver
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,129
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Re: 97 2wd ball joints: upper and lower?
I replied to your post in the the drivetrain thread. Please don't double post. By rights, you should have only posted here since this is the most appropriate section. Thanks in advance.
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Sgtsandman's Work in Progress
2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap
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07-05-2011, 11:36 AM
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345,000 and counting '97
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 19
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Re: 97 2wd ball joints: upper and lower?
Yeah I was looking for some way to delete the post or contact a moderator when I realized my mistake.
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So I guess you have no input on my ball joint issue, Sgt?
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Can anyone provide me with a link to a service manual or good outline of this job online? I don't want to make the trip home after work to snag mine.
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1997 2wd, 2.3l, 5spd, 345,000 miles. Original motor and tranny.
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07-05-2011, 11:45 AM
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Almost ******
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 7,466
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Re: 97 2wd ball joints: upper and lower?
i would replace both since you've got everything apart anyways. i'm betting since the lowers are bad, the uppers can't be better by much. plus the piece of mind knowing that all the joints are fresh is worth the extra coin. no help on the service manual though.
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07-05-2011, 11:49 AM
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345,000 and counting '97
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 19
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Re: 97 2wd ball joints: upper and lower?
I thought I saw some diagrams of the front end assembly here on this site somewhere but I can't find it.
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1997 2wd, 2.3l, 5spd, 345,000 miles. Original motor and tranny.
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07-05-2011, 12:33 PM
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TTB man
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,920
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Re: 97 2wd ball joints: upper and lower?
Really quite simple since you have a 2wd. Pull off the rotor and "hub" with all the bearings and junk. (might wanna check your seals and bearings while you're in there). Once all that's off, loosen the pinch bolt on top (I beleive it has one on the 2wd models). then back off the bottom bj nut til it's 3/4 of the way off. Take some PB blaster and hit the balljoints. Then take a BFH (big f-in hammer) and hit the knuckle down until the bj's pop loose. Take the lower nut completely off now and remove knuckle. If you dont have a big C-clamp and big sockets or a balljoint press tool (readily available to rent at any auto parts store), take the knuckles to a garage and have them pressed out/in. Installation is reverse of this( of course)
Hope this helps.
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1993 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab | stepside | 4x4 | 4.0L | Lifted | 35" BFG KM2s | MT Classic IIs | Dana 35/Disc 8.8 with 4.56's | Duals | Etc
RIP JASON
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07-06-2011, 01:26 PM
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Ford Truck Driver
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 77
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Re: 97 2wd ball joints: upper and lower?
As advised, you're better off doing both uppers and lowers while you're in there anyway - same type of thinking goes for both sides; if one side is gone, the other side is probably on the way out as well (basically same wear and tear on both sides occur).
Makes sense to "group togther" as many repairs as you can.
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2003 Supercab Flareside
4 liter V6
4x4 FX4 Level I
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07-07-2011, 11:17 AM
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345,000 and counting '97
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 19
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Re: 97 2wd ball joints: upper and lower?
Yes, amen to replacing the uppers and lowers at the same time. The job went very smoothly. Even had my truck on fire (well at least a part off my truck) for the first time when we had to resort to a torch to remove the lower ball joint and it ignited some of the rust remover.
So if anyone ever wonders if they should replace them both, the answer is yes. Always.
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1997 2wd, 2.3l, 5spd, 345,000 miles. Original motor and tranny.
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