Ball Joint help needed :(

[mikey]

Hi,

I am having to replace the lower Ball joint on my 200 4x4 very soon.
I wont go into the problems I had with the tire shop i went to but if they dont work with me I am thinking I will replace it myself. ALthough I have never worked on a vehicke with Torsion bars.

Could someone that has done this pelase advise if replacing the Stock Ball joints can be done replaced with nothing but handtools? And if there is a step by step guide somewhere?

I have worked on many cars int he past, just not done work with suspensions.

Would greatly appreciate any help I can get

Thanks !!

 

[metalmacguyver]

Welcome to the forum!
pick up a chilton or haynes manual, and a ball joint remover/installer tool. other than that the only thing you might want is a spreading fork for removing the knuckle from the control arms. a fork and a sledge hammer will save you alot of grief. good luck!

 

[projectnitemare]

The lowers are pretty easy. You don't "have" to have a balljoint press, I've done them with a piece of tube and a heavy punch and hammer but it would be a good investment in time and bruised fingers. This is something that can be done in the driveway in less than two hours for a beginner with a socket set and a few tools. A manual will help you if you get stuck. You be glad you saved some cash over a shop.

Matt

 

[mikey]

Thanks for he help.

I did buy a manual at the parts store , it unfortanatlly only covers the ball joint removal on the Older Twin I Beam suspension.

Took it back to the tire shop that told me nothing was wrong with it , and they still said nothing was wrong until I showed them the problem. (Morons ! )
they wanted 217.00 to fix it , While another local shop said they would do it for $60 labor + parts.

May let them do it for that.

 

[99Ranger4wd]

I am getting ready to rebuild the font end of my 99 ranger and had a few questions as well. I will be replacing tie rod ends and upper and lower ball joints. The lower ball joints are simple enough. I had a question about the uppers though. When you look online for the upper ball joints everything comes with new a-arms. Which makes the price like $105+ per side. Can you keep the original a-arms and replace the bushings and ball joint? That would make it more like $60 per side for the uppers. Also is there anything else you would replace up front on a 4wd ranger with 120,000 miles on it.