Quick Question.

[dauphija#99]

I need to change a lower control arm and ball joint(stupid rocks that sneak up on you when off roading). I asked a friend how hard of a job it is to do and he said "depends are the ball joints press in or bolt?" I don't know which one I have. I drive a 2wd 2002 ranger 4cyl. Can someone tell me which kind i have? and do you think it is worth it to do it yourself?

 

[ozziemo27]

I need to change a lower control arm and ball joint(stupid rocks that sneak up on you when off roading). I asked a friend how hard of a job it is to do and he said "depends are the ball joints press in or bolt?" I don't know which one I have. I drive a 2wd 2002 ranger 4cyl. Can someone tell me which kind i have? and do you think it is worth it to do it yourself?

Wow, what did you do to mess a LCA and ball joint up .... The ball joint should be a pressed in, you can often loan out a manual balljoint press tool at autozone, i noticed you live in canada, so whatever your equivalent is might loan them out. I was unable to get mine out when i replaced mine so i had to take the LCAs to a shop and they pressed the old ones out and pressed the new ones in for me. You might have better luck. Do I think it is worth it to do it yourself? I would do it in a heartbeat, i could probably have it all said and done in a couple of hours. But i've had my 4wd IFS apart before. Have you ever dove into a project like this, how much knowledge do you have of your suspension and disassembly? Or does your friend have the know how? If so, then i'd go for it. Just don't dive into it without the know how, thats how you get in trouble, i speak from experience, lol. All in all, this job wouldn't be that hard.

 

[adsm08]

I can't think of a single Ford that uses bolt-in ball joints (so now someone is going to come along with a list of vehicles 40 years older than me that used them), you have the press in style.

A lot of vehicles that Ford made in recent years had an integrated style where you just replace the whole arm. The part is more expensive, but they usually don't need aligned after the replacement.

I'm pretty sure you have the press in style, but I agree with Ozz, don't try it yourself unless you can find a press and are confident enough that you can do it. It isn't that hard though.

 

[dauphija#99]

Wow, what did you do to mess a LCA and ball joint up .... The ball joint should be a pressed in, you can often loan out a manual balljoint press tool at autozone, i noticed you live in canada, so whatever your equivalent is might loan them out. I was unable to get mine out when i replaced mine so i had to take the LCAs to a shop and they pressed the old ones out and pressed the new ones in for me. You might have better luck. Do I think it is worth it to do it yourself? I would do it in a heartbeat, i could probably have it all said and done in a couple of hours. But i've had my 4wd IFS apart before. Have you ever dove into a project like this, how much knowledge do you have of your suspension and disassembly? Or does your friend have the know how? If so, then i'd go for it. Just don't dive into it without the know how, thats how you get in trouble, i speak from experience, lol. All in all, this job wouldn't be that hard.

The control arm is dented and bent in the front, Its from nose diving and hitting rocks. It was weird how it happened. I drove through the first time no problem but when I turned around BANG BANG. I do not have much know how but my friend seems pretty confident in it. I will let him know its press in and see if that makes any difference to him.

 

[straycat]

Hmmmmm, I replaced mine on my 99 lifted 2wd Ranger and they just press in and out. I used the Moog with the zerk fittings so they last longer since you can lube them. I put new upper ones on at the same time. I used a better after market brand of uppers and I can't remember what brand they are. They look almost stock but they are supposed to be built better and when I put the stock ones next to my new ones you can tell the difference.

That was 4 years ago and the ball joints are still in great shape. I just had them checked out while I had my service at my Goodyear shop three weeks ago. If they were bad I am sure they would recommend a replacement......got to make that money!!!!