balljoints

[fordmuscle395]

do the balljoints on the front LCA's need to be pressed off and on?

 

[fanopj1]

For the foxbody, they need to be pressed on. As for removal, I just used a 3 lb. slegdehammer and after a few hits, it popped right out. Good Luck

 

[HISSIN50]

You can loan out a BJ pressing tool from your local parts store. It presses the BJ's on and off.

 

[fordmuscle395]

good deal! I love BJs

 

[squeak93]

I have never had luck with the sledge hammer way... maybe I'm not a big enough guy... but the rental press makes quick work of them w/o damaging ur castle nuts....

 

[2000xp8]

I paid $29 at harbor freight for a ball joint press.
Worth every penny.

 

[old_blue]

I just got a loaner from checkers. I have never been able to pound one out of the control arm.

as for the castle nut. If you are replacing the ball joint then it shouldnt matter as a repectable replacement should come with one.

 

[2000xp8]

I just got a loaner from checkers. I have never been able to pound one out of the control arm.

as for the castle nut. If you are replacing the ball joint then it shouldnt matter as a repectable replacement should come with one.

One would think that was true, but i just got a replacement for my explorer from ford, and no nut.

 

[squeak93]

Never gotten a new castle nut meself either. Always buy premium parts too.

 

[Cobra_Dusten]

Never gotten a new castle nut meself either. Always buy premium parts too.

all 4 ball joints i bought from napa this weekend had them

 

[squeak93]

Damn Napa keeps going out of business around here..... None in the town I live in 45k+ people.... O'rielly's and AZ must be getting cheap on us.....

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I never had luck with the hammer either.

1. Soak them in WD40 for a minute or two.

2. Squirt them again, then use the press. Make sure you have a good air impact such as an Ingresol Ran, or a Snap-On. A weak impact will NOT be enough to remove old stubborn balljoints.

3. Then clean up the area the new ball joint is going in and press in back in.

You will like new ball joints in your car. My one fox handled so much better than the other notch with the original 135K ball joints, and nothing seemed like it was wrong with the originals.

BTWW Buy MOOG's, not the Autozone specials...

 

[fordmuscle395]

roger that

 

[warriorpluto]

what do these ball joints look like so i can view mine?

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

This is a cut-a-way view.

Federal-Mogul - Moog Ball Joints

 

[fordmuscle395]

View attachment 276081

 

[2000xp8]

what do these ball joints look like so i can view mine?

I can't see any good looking at them will do.
If you want to test them, jack the car up by the control arm (if you jack on the frame there will be too much tention on the balljoint to get an accurate assessment).
Then put a long crow bar under the tire (from the side, with you facing the tire) then pry upwards.
If there is any movement, have someone else do it while you look under the car to see if the balljoint is where the movement is coming from.