Ball joint replacement

[Goldmember]

OK gang after searching across 3 forums I still can't get a straight answer...

Step by step how do you replace the lower ball joints on our cars?

***I have the new ball joints- good Moog pieces- in the basement, so no I'm not going to send them back and buy Cobra control arms!

I'm aware I need the ball joint puller, I can go rent one of them, but step by step how is it done?

 

[wayne94mustang]

just like any other ball joint.

i normally support the car with a jack under the a arm and just press the old one out. them just press the new one in.... real simple to do

 

[reivaxtorres]

so you do know that our control arms, even tho they sell replacement ball joints, are pretty much a one-time use thing, right?

you can replace them, but you have to be careful and make sure the new ones are properly pressed in or else it may come out.

the way ive always known, you have to take the control arm off and press the old ball joint out, and press the new one in. not sure if there is any special way of doing this on a car, but thats what ive been told. (ps. taking the old joints out will basically enlarge the hole where the ball joint goes. if it gets too big, ur basically installing a loose ball joint.). like i said, its just what ive heard, havent had any experience with them (aside from installing the cobra control arms)

 

[WifesBudget94GT]

there is a special tool u can use while the control arm is on the car. It a ball joint / universal joint press, looks like a giant c-clamp with a variety of cups to fit different size applications an so forth... Pick up you jegs its in there, buy one at your local parts store or rent it... very simple to use I recommend pneumatic impact wrench an a 7/8 socket.

 

[wayne94mustang]

so you do know that our control arms, even tho they sell replacement ball joints, are pretty much a one-time use thing, right?

you can replace them, but you have to be careful and make sure the new ones are properly pressed in or else it may come out.

the way ive always known, you have to take the control arm off and press the old ball joint out, and press the new one in. not sure if there is any special way of doing this on a car, but thats what ive been told. (ps. taking the old joints out will basically enlarge the hole where the ball joint goes. if it gets too big, ur basically installing a loose ball joint.). like i said, its just what ive heard, havent had any experience with them (aside from installing the cobra control arms)

you heard wrong, you can always replace a ball joint on a stamped steel a arm (just like a 80s chevy 2x4 truck and thousands of others).

no you can always do it wrong and ruin the hole but if the new one goes in tight it cant fall out

 

[reivaxtorres]

so you do know that our control arms, even tho they sell replacement ball joints, are pretty much a one-time use thing, right?

you can replace them, but you have to be careful and make sure the new ones are properly pressed in or else it may come out.

the way ive always known, you have to take the control arm off and press the old ball joint out, and press the new one in. not sure if there is any special way of doing this on a car, but thats what ive been told. (ps. taking the old joints out will basically enlarge the hole where the ball joint goes. if it gets too big, ur basically installing a loose ball joint.). like i said, its just what ive heard, havent had any experience with them (aside from installing the cobra control arms)

you heard wrong, you can always replace a ball joint on a stamped steel a arm (just like a 80s chevy 2x4 truck and thousands of others).

no you can always do it wrong and ruin the hole but if the new one goes in tight it cant fall out

yeah, thats what i heard, that a majority of the time the hole gets ruined (or at least gets wider) and the ball joint doesnt go in as tight as it should be, which could lead to problems down the road. to me, it wasnt worth the risk so i just replaced the entire arm.

 

[2broke2gofast]

I tach welded mine in, as the hole was worn a bit too much...

 

[Mr. OAM]

Step 1, go to library.

Step 2, read Chilton's manual. Even has pictures. A picture and formal instructions are worth a thousand words, and guesses. O0



Steve

 

[Goldmember]

^^I was gonna use the link I think in the 4.6 forum for the online shop manual someone posted up unfortunately it went down...

Chilton's it is.

 

[SRT Handz]

just buy 03/04 cobra control arm for $150...they come with new Low friction ball joints....kill 2 birds with 1 stone

 

[Goldmember]

^^because I have new balljoints and outer tierods waiting to be installed in my basement.