Ball Joint came out of control arm while driving!! Help Please!!

Izover4u · Jun 3, 2007

Hey guys-
My girl has been driving the car (96' GT 120k miles) for awhile with the sqeeking... last night driver side came crashing down... got it towed home and put on jacks... the ball joint was completely seperated from the control arm... Do I order a new control arm and ball joint? or just a new ball joint?

Thanks

Skud · Jun 3, 2007

Well..

You can get two brand new '03 Cobra control arms WITH balljoints AND new, stiffer control arm bushings (hydro-bushings) for around $175. That includes both sides.

The Ford racing part number is M-3075-D

Using the new Cobra control arms on the SN-95's will also result in 10% tighter steering..

Riley

03ghoststang · Jun 3, 2007

i would also suggest doing the control arm since it comes with the balljoint

SaleenGT2001 · Jun 3, 2007

thats cheaper than we charge for 2 ball joints and installation.

+1 on the cobra lca's

Izover4u · Jun 3, 2007

Skud said:
Well..

You can get two brand new '03 Cobra control arms WITH balljoints AND new, stiffer control arm bushings (hydro-bushings) for around $175. That includes both sides.

The Ford racing part number is M-3075-D

Using the new Cobra control arms on the SN-95's will also result in 10% tighter steering..

Riley

Thanks for the reply Do I have any other options? I am not realy going for the performance upgrade... The car is just a DD for my girl... How much does 96' GT control arm w/balljoints run? What websites give the best prices on OEM parts?

Thanks

Skud · Jun 3, 2007

Well, in all honesty I think the Cobra arms will be your best bet. The price of a 96-98 part would most likely be almost the same. I can't find a price (or part # even) on the 96-98 ones, unfortunately.

Also, when you do the balljoints, you're already 75% of the way there to replacing the whole control arms. The only extra steps are to:

1) Unbolt the swaybar end links (really easy)
2) Unbolt the strut (really easy too, just make sure you support the control arm with a jack)
3) Remove the spring (easy as well, just *slowly* lower the jack supporting the control arm. Then pull out the spring).

Then it's a simple matter of undoing four more bolts. Two of which are the bolts that hold in the control arms. The other two are bolts you need to remove to get first two bolts out..

Installation is reverse..

If you go to a shop, you will pay at least $175 to replace just the balljoints. That is always an option if you really don't want to do it yourself.

Riley

Ordie · Jun 3, 2007

why just replace when you can upgrade.

Izover4u · Jun 3, 2007

Thanks guys for all the input... Ima go ahead and order 03' cobra control arms w/ball joints for $175... Anywhere in particular I should order from? www.Fordracingparts.com?

anyone know of the torque specs on the bolts? or do the parts come with install instructions...?

Thanks guys

Bluffing024 · Jun 3, 2007

http://www.maximummotorsports.com

DTNODYA · Jun 3, 2007

97stang_guy said:
http://www.maximummotorsports.com

+1

Mustang5L5 · Jun 3, 2007

DO NOT replace only the ball joint. Since you said the ball joint came through the arm, that could mean the a-arm is now compromised and unsafe to drive on.

You need to replace the entire a-arm as a precaution, and i would just do the cobra a-arms.

Ordie · Jun 3, 2007

Mustang5L5 said:
DO NOT replace only the ball joint. Since you said the ball joint came through the arm, that could mean the a-arm is now compromised and unsafe to drive on.

You need to replace the entire a-arm as a precaution, and i would just do the cobra a-arms.

In case you missed it

Ima go ahead and order 03' cobra control arms w/ball joints for $175.

Mustang5L5 · Jun 3, 2007

Missed that post. I was just trying to warn him

Skud · Jun 3, 2007

Mustang5L5 said:
Missed that post. I was just trying to warn him

Either way, it was a very very good point.. I didn't think of that angle at all and in the future, if someone else had this problem then it would get it in their head that the control arm may not be safe any more..

Good point indeed..

Riley

Ordie · Jun 3, 2007

oh yea no doubt it was good info.

justinschmidt1 · Jun 3, 2007

Izover4u said:
Hey guys-
My girl has been driving the car (96' GT 120k miles) for awhile with the sqeeking... last night driver side came crashing down... got it towed home and put on jacks... the ball joint was completely seperated from the control arm... Do I order a new control arm and ball joint? or just a new ball joint?

Thanks

hmm m 96 gt squeeks on the driver side becuase of the bushing for the ball joint...I guess I should get that replaced or upgraded

Bluffing024 · Jun 3, 2007

justinschmidt1 said:
hmm m 96 gt squeeks on the driver side becuase of the bushing for the ball joint...I guess I should get that replaced or upgraded

When I had my 97 GT Vert, I installed those. Nice upgrade! MM is a great company to work with!

Izover4u · Jun 10, 2007

Skud said:
Well, in all honesty I think the Cobra arms will be your best bet. The price of a 96-98 part would most likely be almost the same. I can't find a price (or part # even) on the 96-98 ones, unfortunately.

Also, when you do the balljoints, you're already 75% of the way there to replacing the whole control arms. The only extra steps are to:

1) Unbolt the swaybar end links (really easy)
2) Unbolt the strut (really easy too, just make sure you support the control arm with a jack)
3) Remove the spring (easy as well, just *slowly* lower the jack supporting the control arm. Then pull out the spring).

Then it's a simple matter of undoing four more bolts. Two of which are the bolts that hold in the control arms. The other two are bolts you need to remove to get first two bolts out..

Installation is reverse..

If you go to a shop, you will pay at least $175 to replace just the balljoints. That is always an option if you really don't want to do it yourself.

Riley

Hey guys... my cobra contrl arms came in... But there was no instructions... I started to remove the old control arm but I am unable to get the left bolt out... It is hitting the tie rod I think... advice? do i have to remove the the tie rod? I think thats the part its hitting...?

Anyone have the install instructions handy?

Thanks

Skud · Jun 10, 2007

Izover4u said:
Hey guys... my cobra contrl arms came in... But there was no instructions... I started to remove the old control arm but I am unable to get the left bolt out... It is hitting the tie rod I think... advice? do i have to remove the the tie rod? I think thats the part its hitting...?

Anyone have the install instructions handy?

Thanks

Yes, there are only two bolts holding the steering rack to the K member. Just loosen those enough so that you can pull it forward and get those bolts out. you don't have to remove the rack.

Riley

doc4444 · Jun 10, 2007

Also, if you want thorough in depth instructions, go the MM's website. They have how to's for most of their products.

Ball Joint came out of control arm while driving!! Help Please!!

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