Ball Joints...

Strype

Cuthbert catcher

Founding Member

May 11, 1999

61

34

104

Huntsvegas, AL

Jan 31, 2006

#1

• Jan 31, 2006

• #1

I don't remember even looking at the ball joints when I did the spring change... now they're a poppin. It said in the manual that I have to take out the entire A-arm- Is that true?

I'd really hate to do those springs again. If that's true I'm buying new A-arms and doing a brake upgrade. Really really really don't want to touch the springs again. They're stock and brand new.

 

Strype

Cuthbert catcher

Founding Member

May 11, 1999

61

34

104

Huntsvegas, AL

Jan 31, 2006

#2

• Jan 31, 2006

• #2

HoodStrype said:

I'd really hate to do those springs again. If that's true I'm buying new A-arms and doing a brake upgrade. Really really really don't want to touch the springs again. They're stock and brand new.

Click to expand...

Hey that kinda rhymes...

 

tunedin302

I AM the law!!!

Jul 29, 2004

1,251

2

36

Pennsylvania

Jan 31, 2006

#3

• Jan 31, 2006

• #3

No, just rent yourself a balljoint press from autozone and remove them and press in the new ones. Be sure to put a good amount of grease on the new ones to allow for an easier fit. When you replace them, get some with zerk fittings. I believe I used Moog w/ zerks.

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FORCED2DV8

New Member

Jun 6, 2005

458

0

0

Grand Rapids MI

Jan 31, 2006

#4

• Jan 31, 2006

• #4

No, get a Ball joint removal tool, The ball joint is pressed into the A -arm. You will need this tool to get it out, or a torch to heat the metal enough so it drops out...... The tool is much easier... Can find it at most automotive supply store's or tooling warehouse, Harbor freight..

 

Strype

Cuthbert catcher

Founding Member

May 11, 1999

61

34

104

Huntsvegas, AL

Jan 31, 2006

#5

• Jan 31, 2006

• #5

Kewl... seems easy enough. By the way, what's a "zerk"?

 

Zero_chance

Founding Member

May 29, 2001

1,243

7

59

Maricopa, AZ

Jan 31, 2006

#6

• Jan 31, 2006

• #6

Zerk fitting screws into the ball joint and allows you to grease it with a grease gun. Dont replace the whole A arm unless you have to. I thought thats what I had to do until I was going through some old TSBs at work and Ford issued one saying to no longer replace the whole A arm because it was costing them too much back when these cars were under warranty.

 

srothfuss

Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row

Oct 17, 2004

1,796

3

0

Woodward Ave.

Jan 31, 2006

#7

• Jan 31, 2006

• #7

zerk - standard greasable fitting attached to the ball joint which allows you to keep the part properly lubricated.

 

tunedin302

I AM the law!!!

Jul 29, 2004

1,251

2

36

Pennsylvania

Jan 31, 2006

#8

• Jan 31, 2006

• #8

FORCED2DV8 said:

No, get a Ball joint removal tool, The ball joint is pressed into the A -arm. You will need this tool to get it out, or a torch to heat the metal enough so it drops out...... The tool is much easier... Can find it at most automotive supply store's or tooling warehouse, Harbor freight..

Click to expand...

The tool I have pictured removes the balljoint and also presses them into the control arm. All you do is flip it over so the threaded portion is above the control arm and it presses the old ball joints out of the a-arm. What tool are you refering to?

 

Joe P.

Founding Member

Aug 1, 2002

56

0

0

Syracuse

Jan 31, 2006

#9

• Jan 31, 2006

• #9

FORCED2DV8 said:

No, get a Ball joint removal tool, The ball joint is pressed into the A -arm. You will need this tool to get it out, or a torch to heat the metal enough so it drops out...... The tool is much easier... Can find it at most automotive supply store's or tooling warehouse, Harbor freight..

Click to expand...

Heating the a-arm to get the ball joint out may be the easiest way, but not the safest. Possible to weaken or expand the steel, leading to big problems down the road. The removal tools are cheap and work well, and you'll have peace of mind that the ball joint isn't gonna rip out 70mph around a turn..