Lower Ball Joint and Tie Rod Replacement/How Hard?

Patrick Bateman · Dec 16, 2008

Took the 2001 4x4 Ranger in to get a four wheel alignment and they found my lower ball joints worn and the right tie rod shot. Sounds like the ball joint is a booger but the tie rod seems easier. What are your thoughts on this? I'd rather not spend $500-plus on the lower ball joints and $210 on the tie rod at a shop if I can do all or some of the job myself. Thanks.

PB

98greenrangerguy · Dec 16, 2008

I'd recommend doing those yourself. You can get good Moog ball joints for 40 or 50 dollars each. There are some other decent brands out there as well. Make sure whatever you get has grease fittings. You can usually rent a ball joint press at Advance or Autozone. Good tie rod ends are relatively inexpensive, too. Get that alignment ASAP after you're done.

Patrick Bateman · Dec 16, 2008

How lengthy and difficult is the tie rod install? Not sure if I have the time for the ball joints for a while. Thanks!

Sasquatch_Ryda · Dec 17, 2008

if they aren't too badly rusted on there they usually take me about 5-10mins per side. Count how many turns it takes to thread the old one off and thread the new one on the same amount of turns. That'll get you pretty close, then have an alignment done.

Earl43P · Dec 17, 2008

I'd do both at the same time.
Why get two alignments?

LBJ isn't THAT hard, just make sure you break the torque on the axle nut before jacking it up (32mm socket with breaker bar).

This will either scare you or convince you to do it: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188225

sce36m · Dec 17, 2008

how different is this for a 89?

MAKG · Dec 18, 2008

sce36m said:
how different is this for a 89?

As different as Ford and GM.

You have a wildly different front suspension, no "inner" tie rods, and four discrete balljoints.

It's not too hard with the correct tools. Despite what people say, a BFH is MUCH harder to use for this than a balljoint (C-frame) press. And anyone who says to use a bench vise or C-clamp instead hasn't tried it or they would have broken them. They work OK with U-joints, but not for balljoints.

Patrick Bateman · Dec 18, 2008

Earl43P said:
I'd do both at the same time.
Why get two alignments?

LBJ isn't THAT hard, just make sure you break the torque on the axle nut before jacking it up (32mm socket with breaker bar).

This will either scare you or convince you to do it: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188225

I was just tossing around the idea of doing the right inner tie rod myself and then take it into a shop to do the lbj's and alignment.

Lower Ball Joint and Tie Rod Replacement/How Hard?

Patrick Bateman

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98greenrangerguy

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Patrick Bateman

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Sasquatch_Ryda

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Earl43P

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sce36m

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MAKG

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Patrick Bateman

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