Upper ball joints on 99'

[work2do]

New member here thats thrilled to have this site. I'll be happy to contribute and help others too...Had an 01' 2.5 years ago that I took to 190,000 in 3years and replaced a timing belt, tires and little else with little troubles. Just bought the 99' supercab 2wd, 2.5 slow slug w/ 47,000 to make a living. Bought it knowing that the left side would need upper and lower ball joints due to ripped up boots/age. Both joints have already been replaced on the right side with the OE upper control arm still in place and greasable Moog joints up and low. It doesn't appear to be a problem to press out the lowers, but I undertand I'll be LUCKY AS HELL to get out the upper ball joint based on my research in the archives here. Obviously it's been done...HOW ? 20 Ton press, oxy torch, air chisel.....Should I just be damn sure I can drive down to the local parts store and pick up the whole arm/joint assembly if my attempt fails ?...Thanks in advance...

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

mine(99) and moms(03) had been replaced recently, but i dontknow the exact procedure, sorry, but i guess that it aint that hard, my mechanic did it really fast
maybe someone that had done this can help u more
oo and welcome to TRS!

 

[Rangerman4158]

I replaced all my ball joints about 2 months ago and I couldn't find upper joints. I had to replace the control arm to me it would just be easier to replace the whole arm.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Yup, the upper is replaced as an entire control arm.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

mine got replaced only the upper joints, they sell individual parts here tho

 

[triumphrider-1]

The upper arm is replaced as a whole unit. I don't know if you can even order just the ball joint for the upper (I could be wrong though...it wouldn't be the first time).

Autozone shows both for it.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...&navValue=14600191&itemId=191-0&parentId=46-0

If you go through them, you might want to ask about their ball joint tool. It may work for it, not sure; but if it does, it would make the job a bit easier.

 

[kennykenny]

As everyone has already said the upper is replaced as a unit...on a 4x4. I'm not familiar with the upper arms on a 4x2.

 

[fordboi415]

yes they do sell the entire unit and they do sell the parts separately. I just replaced the ball joints myself and yes it does require one hell of a press which i thankfully had, i don't quite remember though the exact amount of pressure it required to press them out. I paid about 70 bucks for the new upper joints and i got them from auto zone

 

[work2do]

Greatly appreicate all the responses. I'll be buying the joints tonight (Moog upper #K8738 75.99 & Moog lower #K8771T 44.99, Advance AP) and will devote Thursday to installing them. I'll be sure to have the camera on hand and post the pics and write about the process step by step to share here if I live to tell about it. Really want to get the upper left in since it has been done by whoever the previous owner was on the original upper right arm.