FYI Replacement Upper Control Arms

[lgbbones]

I had to replace my upper control arms because of Ford's stupid idea of making the upper ball joints one piece with the UCAs. Anyway, I had a look at the Duralast one's at Autozoo. In very small print on the box it said "TRW" and "Made in Canada", so I bought them, and they look quality and fit and look just like the factory ones.
I also drilled them for grease fittings (why in the hell don't they come with Zerks?) You might think "yikes", but yes you can do this. Just drill and tap in the very center, then magnetize(with a strong magnet, like one out of a microwave) a paper clip with a small "L" bent into the end and you can retrieve any and all drilling/tapping chips. Magnetize each time you fish with the paper clip, it will take several rounds until you get all the pieces and carefully fish around a bit. Make sure your grease fitting clears the top of the ball when fully screwed in(the ball is flat on it's top), you might have to place a washer under the fitting to get clearance, but you'll have greaseable upper ball joints when done. Use Zerk fittings with the 1/8-28 thread, not the 1/4"-24, their threads are too deep.

 

[caveman_joey]

Good to know thanks for the info about which zerks to use and let us know how they hold up.

 

[fordboi415]

You don't have to replace the upper arm, u can get replacement ball joints and press them in, I've done it several dozen times, I recommend using moog joints their better quality and come with grease fittings

 

[straycat]

I had to do this as well. I was told by a bunch of people that sould not press out the stock ball joints. A buddy of mine works for Ford here and he came over and looked at my 99 Ranger and said to get the upper control arms with replacable ball joints. I only had one bad ball joint but I dicided to replace all 4 of them with the Moog ones with the zerk fittings so I can get them lubed with the oil changes at the same time. He told me he would not recomend pressing out the old ones and replacing them with new ones on the stock uppers. I ordered all the parts and he put them in for me for free...my wife and I took him and his wife out to dinner so it cost something. lol This has been several years ago and the ball joints are still in great shape!!


Straycat.

 

[fordboi415]

Well fyi pressing out the old ball joints doesn't compromise the integrity of the arms, so its pointless to spend money on something you don't need to replace, just a heads up guys. Oh and someone should post this subject in the tech library for future reference

 

[lgbbones]

My ball joints were not pressable, the ball joint housing was a one-piece forging with the arm, cleaned it with a wire brush to make sure, no parting line.

 

[straycat]

My ball joints were not pressable, the ball joint housing was a one-piece forging with the arm, cleaned it with a wire brush to make sure, no parting line.

That sounds like mine stock ppers as well. I stated above that I had to buy the newer uppers and they came with the Moog joints with the zerk fittings. I am very happy with them. I had all four moog joints installed at the same time. If you need to replace a ball joint it can just be pressed out of the upper arm now.

It is strange how several Ranger owners have told me that they had or did not have upper arms that the ball joints could be pressed out and presed back in. I wonder why???