lower ball joint and control arm, same?
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Member
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: willis
lower ball joint and control arm, same?
While replacing the pads on my 97 2wd, I realized the lower ball joint had slop in it. When checking my Haynes manual, it list the ball joint and the A-arm as one piece. Surely you can replace the ball joint without having to buy the A-arm and ball joint as one? I haven't checked yet, but hoping you guys have another idea.
97 f150 XL 2wd, lwb.
4.6, auto, 3dr.........230k miles.
97 f150 XL 2wd, lwb.
4.6, auto, 3dr.........230k miles.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,262
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From: Oklahoma
The lower control arm (A arm) ball joint can be replaced without replacing the entire control arm. If the upper control arm ball joint becomes worn, the entire upper control arm and ball joint must be replaced as a unit.
The worn lower ball joint must be pressed out (and I assume the new one pressed in). Shop can do this OR you can get access to one at alot of auto chain stores for a 100% refundable deposit or small rental fee. The tool looks like a large C clamp.
The worn lower ball joint must be pressed out (and I assume the new one pressed in). Shop can do this OR you can get access to one at alot of auto chain stores for a 100% refundable deposit or small rental fee. The tool looks like a large C clamp.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5
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From: CA
Yes the lowers can be knocked out with a hammer.
Reinstall by lodging the ball joint into the lower a-arm.
Screw the castle nut on to protect the threads
Place a floor jack under the BJ aganist the nut and raise the FJ to compress the coil abit.
With hammer strike the a-arm closest to the rotor.
BJ will slide in evenly
Good luck
Reinstall by lodging the ball joint into the lower a-arm.
Screw the castle nut on to protect the threads
Place a floor jack under the BJ aganist the nut and raise the FJ to compress the coil abit.
With hammer strike the a-arm closest to the rotor.
BJ will slide in evenly
Good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 159
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From: Bolton Ontario Canada
texaspaul;
Like the others said, the lowers are replaceable. However, don't do the job without the press. Hammering on new suspension components is going to reduce the life expectancy of them and I certainly wouldn't hammer on the lower control arm. Rent or even make a press. I made one up and it was not too difficult to press the ball joints in and out. Use presses advertised for sale on the internet as a design if you make your own. Good luck, and remember that you will save 50% of the cost of this job if you do it yourself. GlennMc.
Like the others said, the lowers are replaceable. However, don't do the job without the press. Hammering on new suspension components is going to reduce the life expectancy of them and I certainly wouldn't hammer on the lower control arm. Rent or even make a press. I made one up and it was not too difficult to press the ball joints in and out. Use presses advertised for sale on the internet as a design if you make your own. Good luck, and remember that you will save 50% of the cost of this job if you do it yourself. GlennMc.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Flower Mound, TX
When y'all talk about slop in the suspension (i.e. ball joints), what are you seeing? I'm trying to diagnose a problem in an Expedition and can't really locate it. From the posts I've read, I'm leaning towards the lower ball joints. Maybe y'all can shed some light on this...
Here's the problem. When driving and we hit a bump (big or small), it sounds like something in the front suspension is loose. And we can actually hear rattling inside the truck. It is time to replace shocks so this may be the problem, but the truck doesn't porpoise like a car with worn-out shocks. It could be bearings, but we had a full brake job about 4 months ago (I would assume the shop would mention worn out bearings). Does this sound like ball joints?
I appreciate any experience y'all have to point me in the right direction.
Here's the problem. When driving and we hit a bump (big or small), it sounds like something in the front suspension is loose. And we can actually hear rattling inside the truck. It is time to replace shocks so this may be the problem, but the truck doesn't porpoise like a car with worn-out shocks. It could be bearings, but we had a full brake job about 4 months ago (I would assume the shop would mention worn out bearings). Does this sound like ball joints?
I appreciate any experience y'all have to point me in the right direction.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 159
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From: Bolton Ontario Canada
fishbrains;
Typically, worn out suspension or steering components show up as unusual tire wear, wandering when driving in a straight line and as pulling to one side when braking. Worn ball joints cause the wandering and "cupping" on the outside tire edges. Worn out tie rod ends usually cause pulling to one side under braking as well as excessive wear on the tire edges. Tie rods will also fail and completely fall apart but it usually happens at low speed while reversing (for reasons of the caster effect). This type of failure happened to me. The noise that you are describing sounds like something loose but a steering component that is loose enough to make a noise would most likely have fallen off already. You might want to look at the shock mount points to see if a rubber bushing has fallen out. Crawl under her and start searching. Good luck! GlennMc.
Typically, worn out suspension or steering components show up as unusual tire wear, wandering when driving in a straight line and as pulling to one side when braking. Worn ball joints cause the wandering and "cupping" on the outside tire edges. Worn out tie rod ends usually cause pulling to one side under braking as well as excessive wear on the tire edges. Tie rods will also fail and completely fall apart but it usually happens at low speed while reversing (for reasons of the caster effect). This type of failure happened to me. The noise that you are describing sounds like something loose but a steering component that is loose enough to make a noise would most likely have fallen off already. You might want to look at the shock mount points to see if a rubber bushing has fallen out. Crawl under her and start searching. Good luck! GlennMc.