Lower balljoint replacement

[KennyC]

I have a ’98 Ranger 3.0 L 4x2 Super Cab with coil springs, 14” rims, and 130000 miles. It is totally stock and I want to keep it that way. The rubber boot on my driver side ball joint is cracked or punctured. Napa sells a replacement lower ball joint, but then I read that they can’t be replaced. Others say you can by pressing the old one out and pressing a new in. I’m confused. What’s the complete story?

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

Base model/trim trucks had 14"s it was fairly common. Not long ago a 14" tire in LT/MT/street were also common. The trend in the industry was to go larger rims, sometimes needed for the larger brakes, more often style over function.

Today the choices in tires that fit & rated for truck are poor although BFG reissued their LT 195/75-14 and that is a good truck & most terrain tire.

 

[sblake01]

Both the upper & lower ball joints on the 4X2 coil spring suspension ARE replaceable. Not really sure of the relevance of what the previous poster said however.......you did ask about ball joints; right?

 

[Die.Fledermaus]

Because before he edited his post he asked specifically about the 14"

 

[adsm08]

The upper ball joints are not replaceable on the stock arms. Moog makes an arm that is meant for serviceable joints, but the stock arms are frequently damaged while trying to press the joint out because they aren't designed to have the joints taken out.

The lower ones are always replaceable.


Also, generally, unless you are nuts and have way too much money, a cracked boot is not grounds to replace a ball joint. You can get just boots.

 

[sblake01]

Admittedly, I've only done one Ranger, a 99, with the 'non removable' upper ball joints but I did use a small hydraulic press on the arm rather than trying to hammer them out. Could be the it already had the aftermarket serviceable arms. From what I've read, they made a change on the 2000 and up Rangers where both upper an lower are designed to be replaceable. Haven't had to do that yet on my 04.

 

[straycat]

The upper ball joints are not replaceable on the stock arms. Moog makes an arm that is meant for serviceable joints, but the stock arms are frequently damaged while trying to press the joint out because they aren't designed to have the joints taken out.

The lower ones are always replaceable.


Also, generally, unless you are nuts and have way too much money, a cracked boot is not grounds to replace a ball joint. You can get just boots.

^^^What he said. I replaced all of mine on my 99 Ranger about 5 years ago for the first time. I could not press out the uppers. I had to research it and just got new upper arms that make it possible to replace the ball joints next time. I got Moog ball joints with the zerk fittings and I can grease them and they will last longer. If the lower ball joints are loose or they are making loud noises than replace them. If you only have one bad lower ball joint then replace the other as well. Best to do them in pairs.

 

[Kowboy]

I just recently replaced both the lowers ball joints and the upper complete arms as well. I'd go for doing upper and lowers on both sides as the ride difference, to me, was a super big change. You'll have a like new ride and stability. Doing the uppers will require a front end alignment. Youtube has some very helpful videos for you.