Lower Ball Joints Do it yourself or shop?

Jimbo · #1 02-17-2010, 03:38 PM

Question:

Do you have to replace the whole lower control arm or are the ball joints press fit?

2002 4WD

01_ranger_4x4 · #2 02-17-2010, 03:51 PM

the lowers just press into the lower control arm

Jimbo · #3 02-17-2010, 04:04 PM

Thanks....I wasn't sure because they sell both the ball joint or the entire control arm....Goodyear wants $475 to replace both joints and do an alignment.....its been twenty years since I've done ball joints and didn't know if something had changed.....LOL....You think I will need a press or good ole hammer to get em out and in......?

01_ranger_4x4 · #4 02-17-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Thanks....I wasn't sure because they sell both the ball joint or the entire control arm....Goodyear wants $475 to replace both joints and do an alignment.....its been twenty years since I've done ball joints and didn't know if something had changed.....LOL....You think I will need a press or good ole hammer to get em out and in......?

i used a hammer to get mine in and out but the right way to do it would be with a press. most auto parts stores will rent tools out to you usually for free.

Americantruckfleet · #5 02-19-2010, 03:01 PM

Snap-On makes a pretty mean ball-joint press.... costs about 800$ but dude you get what you pay for. That lil' Press makes us some money so can't complain! You just put the ball joints in and run a 1/2 snap on impact gun and BAM its said and done.... the right way! No hammer needed and they go in straight as an arrow!.... love snap-on tools

Jimbo · #6 02-20-2010, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Americantruckfleet

Snap-On makes a pretty mean ball-joint press.... costs about 800$ but dude you get what you pay for. That lil' Press makes us some money so can't complain! You just put the ball joints in and run a 1/2 snap on impact gun and BAM its said and done.... the right way! No hammer needed and they go in straight as an arrow!.... love snap-on tools

I hear you on the "Snap On Tools".....! Them were the days, thats all I owned when I was wrenching. Never had their impact for ball joints though.....can just imagine......been robbed since then....all the snap on tools gone.

Just finished the two lowers last nite....$80 bucks for "Moog" ball joints and 4.5 hours later.....eeeek. I took it kinda slow in that I hadn't done lower ball joints on a 4wd before. Strangely enough, the passenger side spindle did not want to come off the ball joint (drivers went easy). After a little heat, a pickle fork, a big f.....ing hammer and few choice words it broke free of the ball joint taper. The ball joint press I rented was for crap. It wouldn't work on the ball joints, so a hammer to get em out, and a floor jack to put them in (with a hammer to aid). Now I just have to get an alignment. I found this web site that gave me the idea of using the floor jack. Its been a few years and the pictures helped shake out the cobwebs in this ole head of mine. LOL.....

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=188225

Americantruckfleet · #7 02-20-2010, 02:45 PM

damn getting robbed sucks bad... esspecialy when they are snap on tools, man....

Rumble520 · #8 09-18-2010, 06:35 AM

I have an 02 Ranger with Spring coils in the front. I'm doing the ball joints today and I'm stuck on the lower ball joints that are pressed fit. They arnt loosing there for I cant even press them out yet. I've been whacking the (hub) with a hammer, I got the ball joint seperater (pickle fork), and nothing. Im actually damaging the pickle fork because the hub is not coming loose and dropping down thru the spindle to the crown nut. I was easily able to replace the top ball joints (integrated control arm) but nothing on the bottom ball joint. I just drenched the lower ball joint in PB Blaster and Im going to start smacking it with a small sledge in another hour or so. Has anyone had this much difficulty taking this part off? I have the press and im ready to change the ball joints but I cant even get the hub seperated off the old existing ball joint (not sure if thats the proper terms, im not a mechanic obviously)

Rob in wis · #9 09-18-2010, 08:13 AM

I havent needed to replace the ball joints on my ranger yet but when I didnt my F150 I got the joints at Advanced auto and I used one of their loaner tools made just for this sort of thing. It is a oversized C-clamp with various bushings to fit different ball joints. It worked great! I saved about $800 by doing it myself. I cant imaginge rangers being any harder to do.

DVS Ranger · #10 09-22-2010, 04:57 PM

The (actually trustworthy) mechanic that I use when I'm pinched for time tells me that replacement of the two lower ball joints on my 2001 4WD takes 6.5 hours and that the ball joints are ~$67 each. Sounds a bit steep at $765 total. Does anybody have any cautions/recommendations on this repair, outside of what has already been posted. I'd rather use the $765 for food.

transfercase · #11 09-22-2010, 08:40 PM

Well I have an 01 4x4 and it took me a while. I used a press, froze the ball joints in the freezer and put grease on them before I put them in. Whether the freezer thing helped I couldn't tell you. That explorer forum post helped me out a bunch because there are pictures to every step.

Rumble520 · #12 09-23-2010, 11:42 AM

I have 2WD, and it was a bit confusing. I had a video I found on Youtube to guide me but my original ball joints rusted themselves on to the hub (Is that the right name?), so I spent about an hour wacking it with a hammer and that did NOTHING, so my frient recommended BP Blaster and then I hit with a mini sledge and it popped right off. The Ball Joint Press is necessary!!! you cant do this job without one. but it took about an hour, both sides. HUGE difference when you ride it after, has that brand new TANK feel. Remember Alignment is a must after you finish the job. Upper ball joints have the integrated control arm. The lower ball joints come by themselves. Both Firestone and Sears wanted 1000 bucks. I spent 250 bucks on parts and the gallon of BP Blaster.... plus the 170 bucks for the rental tool, which is refunded when you bring the tool back.

if your gonna do it the drive way better do some research. Youtube has a great video if you look up "Ball joint replacement 2003 Ford, however theres a better chance you wont totally blow your alignment if you replace the Control arm first then the lowers second. That allows the lower ball joint to keep everything in place.

I didnt need the Pickle Fork because BP Blaster took care of it all...