ball joint question, 2005 gt with 20" saleen wheels

racer_inboston · Apr 11, 2009

Hey gang,
I'm running saleen 20x9 fromts and 20x10 rears. I put these rims/tires with no problem since the car had only 5k miles on it, now i have 35k miles and due to the winter, and the bumpy road to my house (about 1/4 mile) being super bad, I may need balljoints. I never lowered the vehicle since it does not look like it needs it. Eitherway, it has been pullin got the right for about 2 months and it vibrates from 30 to 80 mph. I decided to take it to have it aligned and tires balanced and they said I need the lowere ball-joints on drive's and passenger's side.
- Ok, now, should i go and buy another set of stock balljoints since my car is not lowered? any one have any ideas? I need to have this taken care asap so you guys with experience as to such would be appreciated.

Thanks
---------
UPDATE! I just ogt off the phone with ford and they say you cannot replace the balljoints on 05-09 mustangs, they control arm is sold as a whole, part numbers: 7r32-3079-a and 7r32-3078-a..... if this is so, then how come Steeda sells theyr balljoint kits? I'm confused evenmore now

racer_inboston · Apr 11, 2009

Bump!

NastyStang113 · Apr 11, 2009

Correct the whole LCA has to be replaced to replace the bushing, according to Ford. I don't think Steeda makes balljoints though. What product are you looking at? Can you give me a link? The only thing I can think of what you're seeing is the Steeda bump steer kit

TBrad · Apr 11, 2009

I think he's talking about this kit...

Steeda X5 Ball Joint Kit (2005+) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

stang8urimport · Apr 11, 2009

NastyStang113 said:
Correct the whole LCA has to be replaced to replace the bushing, according to Ford. I don't think Steeda makes balljoints though. What product are you looking at? Can you give me a link? The only thing I can think of what you're seeing is the Steeda bump steer kit

He was talking about balljoints, not bushings. And no you don't have to replace the whole lower control arm to replace the ball joints. RAYBESTOS Part # 5051322, or the Steeda X5's.

Nick

NastyStang113 · Apr 11, 2009

PoopDawg said:
He was talking about balljoints, not bushings. And no you don't have to replace the whole lower control arm to replace the ball joints. RAYBESTOS Part # 5051322, or the Steeda X5's.

Nick

Oops, my bad. Correct, the balljoint can be replaced by itself. I know the 2004+ F150s have to replace the whole LCA when the bushing fails. I suspect that it's the same with the S197, too. Since we're talking about ball joints and I was just off than I guess you're good to go with the Steeda stuff. Long day at the Fantasy of Flight car show !!

racer_inboston · Apr 12, 2009

Yes I was talking about the balljoints steeda makes (x5 kit) and stocker replacements from ROCKAUTOAuto. Funny how every dealership says they cannot be replaced and that the whole LCA needs to be replaced. If I can replace my balljoints then I will, anyone have a good write up for the s197's balljoint replacement?
Is it easier to replace Just the balljoints or is it easier to just replace the LCA?
Once again, I'd like to thank my fellow mustang gurus.

racer_inboston · Apr 12, 2009

Oh and would stock balljoints be ok if I just have bigger rims and not lowered?
Thanks

o0Dan0o · Apr 12, 2009

The Steeda X5 ball joints raise the spindles about an inch, which helps if the front is lowered to correct geometry but hurts if the front is not lowered.

Stock replacements will work fine for probably about the same amount of time as you stock ball joints laster, which is probably as long as any ball joints will last.

Either way, if you replace the ball joints just take the arms and replacements to a machine shop and ask them to press out the old joints and press in the new joints.

The other option is to go with replacement control arms, either stock or like the BMR arms. Either way that'll probably be about twice as expensive.
Dan

racer_inboston · Apr 12, 2009

Great, I think I will take it the lower control arms off and have them press out the old joints and press in a new stock set. Thanks for the input. Geeeesss with only getting close to hittin' 40k miles, is this normal for a s197 mustang? I may have ot blame the short life of these original stock lower balljonts to the bad roads of new england.

o0Dan0o · Apr 12, 2009

Since you live in the north, it's possible that some salt crap (or other crap) got in the boots and corroded the ball joint. You might try re-packing the ball joint boot with fresh grease once a year in the spring time (after the snow has melted and the salt has been washed away). When you get the old joints out inspect them and the grease for anything obvious, corrosion or metal shavings, so on.
Dan

NastyStang113 · Apr 12, 2009

o0Dan0o said:
Since you live in the north, it's possible that some salt crap (or other crap) got in the boots and corroded the ball joint. You might try re-packing the ball joint boot with fresh grease once a year in the spring time (after the snow has melted and the salt has been washed away). When you get the old joints out inspect them and the grease for anything obvious, corrosion or metal shavings, so on.
Dan

I highly agree ... I'm willing to bet combined with the environment and the road the car sees every single day is what did them in.

UrbanRedneck · Apr 13, 2009

If you can get access to a balljoint press you can press them in and out on the car. You can manage with an air hammer and a large deadblow hammer if you are good, but I wouldnt use that method on my car. Otherwise take the arms off like others said, but I'd probably take them to an auto repair shop to be pressed in and out, rather than a machine shop.

racer_inboston · Apr 14, 2009

Yes! I do have access to a balljoint press! It would be awesome if I don't have to take the a arms off to press them out out...Have you done this? any tips? and how will i know when the balljoint is pressed in enough in place? Being a bodyman by trade, I can use tools with common sence, but I really like to be sure prior doing it for safety reasons, ya know?

racer_inboston · Apr 17, 2009

gREAT! GETTING READY TO DO THIS this weekend..have the balljoint press, and bal joints...any tips or/and pointers to make this easier?
thanks

Sanctus · Jun 1, 2009

I am about to do this same mod in conjunction with the Steeda Bumpsteer kit. Any advice?

I have the Press Kit but not really sure how to use it. A link to a write up would be fantastic.

V8JamesGT · Jun 1, 2009

Apparently my ball joints are bad too. I've had the same dilema. I can't go with the steeda ones because my only has the stock 17" rims. I will either go with a stock replacment or the whole BMR arms.

racer_inboston · Jun 1, 2009

DId the balljoints with stock replacements, took about 1.5 hrs each side, pressed out the old and pressed in the new right in there. car feels phenomenal again, had it aligned and fron tires balanced, feels like new.

tools rented from autozone:

ball joint press item # 557231-27023
oem ball joint separator #555664-27020 ( in case you need to smack it a bit to help the press do its work)

These adapters allow for lower balljoint press to fit properly on botton and top of balljoint.

AUTOZONE/GREAT NECK FORD BALL JOINT ADAPTER KIT:
#948082-27163
#948076-27166

Good luck

cycosarge · Jun 1, 2009

My balljoints failed at 2500 miles in my Mustang... I think they are defective. Replaced them with Steeda kit.

Sanctus · Jun 2, 2009

Easy install or did you come across any unforeseen difficulties?

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