Stupid balljoint question

[Philippe]

The balljoint on the LCA, do I press it down or up to remove it?

To me, it looks like it should be down, but I saw a howto for a Ranger, and it looks like they where saying up. And Ford tends to be similar for stuff like that from model to model.

Thank you.

 

[jrichker]

Examine the flange on a new ball joint. if it is on the bottom of the joint, the joint presses down to remove it from the arm.

 

[85 Coupe 5.0]

It presses DOWN.

The Rangers have an upper and lower ball joint on their suspension setup i believe, you probably saw an article on removing the upper ball joint, which you have to press up.

The Mustangs use a modified strut system, and press out downwards.

 

[Philippe]

Down.

Cool. Thank you.

 

[Philippe]

One more question.

Anybody here has the exact (or close to) size of the bottom end of a stock balljoint?

Being unable to find a balljoint press in the Montreal area, I'm going to cobble one together using a 6" C-clamp, a 3/4" deep socket (for around the upper threaded portion) and something else underneath. Just need to know how wide...

Thank you.

 

[85 Coupe 5.0]

Mmmmm, not sure on that one. Most parts stores have a rental tool program, i know we do. There will be a ball/u-joint press kit. It comes with the adapters and big 'C' clamp.

Those joints can be tough press in, just make sure you get them started fairly straight and you will be ok.

Another way to do it would be to remove the lower control arm and take it to a shop and have them do it for ya.

 

[Philippe]

Mmmmm, not sure on that one. Most parts stores have a rental tool program, i know we do. There will be a ball/u-joint press kit. It comes with the adapters and big 'C' clamp.

Those joints can be tough press in, just make sure you get them started fairly straight and you will be ok.

Another way to do it would be to remove the lower control arm and take it to a shop and have them do it for ya.

I called something like 7 tool rental places and 4 Canadian Tires (canadian equivalent of PepBoys/AutoZone) and none of them has a balljoint press for rental. To buy one is around $200 plus tax. A bit high for me. I won't be changing balljoints that often.

And removing the LCA is a bit hard without air tools, so I'd rather avoid having to do that. The balljoint to spindle nut was hard enough as it was.

I started a thread asking if anybody in the Montreal, QC area had a balljoint press to lend or rent or sell, but no takers so far.