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Lower ball joints

Tiny
903ASP1
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Hi guys. I have what might be a possible problem. Just picked up a 2000 Ford Explorer, and took it for inspection. They told me it needs the two front lower ball joints. I figured no prob, i've replaced quite a few. According to my Haynes manual though, the lower ball joints CAN'T be replaced, it says if they are bad, the WHOLE control arm has to be replaced. Please tell me if this is so ( hope not ). Then I can get complete control arm, before I get into it :)
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 12:35 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
LOOKY HERE, IF THIS IS CORRECT, THEY SHOW IT BOTH WAYS.I plugged in the info you provided, I had a choice of 2WD, 4WD, or AWD.I chose 4WD (as above)
2000-Ford-Explorer-4WD/Ball-Joint-Lower MIGHT TRY OTHER PARTS STORES ON LINE AND SEE IF THEY SHOW THE SAME, OR JUST THE CONTROL ARM

The Medic
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 12:56 AM
Tiny
903ASP1
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Thanks Medic. It costs more for complete control arm w/ball joint, but it would probably be less work, and in the long run, i'm probably better off getting complete unit safety wise :)
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 1:08 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Just replaced 'em in Step-Monsters '96 Exploder, 3 months ago.

It was a pain in the butt!

I did not want to remove the arms to press 'em out, so I did it with this Monster "C" Clamp, and Large sockets to "push" and "receive" the Ball Joints (using it for my CJ5 tranny in this pic.) It was EZ to get in there.I wish I had taken pics of the process.

Depending on the price, could steer me either way.I had no choice, she got all the stuff on Ebay, her Exploder was a priority.'Least her Mama made that clear to me. Mama runs the show!

Good Luck, I hope that info helped you

The Medic
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 1:22 AM
Tiny
903ASP1
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  • 13 POSTS
Yeah Medic, the info helped alot. Just checked ebay, and I can get the pair new, for $100 less than Autozone :) Ball buster? I'm sure, but I always try to do as much auto work as I can myself, even at 69 yrs. Old. It sure saves alot on labor costs, and if you do it yourself, you know you're going to take the time to make sure its right. Plus you don't have to worry about the mechanic who's working on your vehicle, be hung over from a party the night before. Lol
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 1:35 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Same Here, I'm an Expert here, not a professional, I have lots of Jeep CJ experience. I do this as a hobby, I saw that the CJ people were not being Over-Helped, so I got on here and really try to help them forever, holding their hand, whatever it takes, Takes a special kinda person to love a CJ.I also try to help within my capabilities to others too, I know older Fords pretty good too.

I too, like youKnow that you care about your own stuff, more than the other folks do!

Here lately the new, "I can muff your stuff up, EZily, scenario", this goes for any situation-anywhere. Mr. Cell Phone!

I have never in my life seen so much of a DISTRACTION. Billions of $$$ lost to "I MUST TEXT, INSTEAD OF DOING MY JOB, OR PAYING ATTENTION"

I am surprised, I have not heard of a new disease, from lack of Cell phone. Like during Army Basic Training

So, go hide yours when you start your mission!

Don't need any errors!

Let me know how it goes, don't forget, you probably need an alignment soon after!

The Medic
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 2:54 AM
Tiny
903ASP1
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  • 13 POSTS
Yeah, it's a shame "customer service" is almost a thing of the past, and people just don't care about the quality of the work they get paid to do :( I'm almost certain i'll need an alignment when i'm done Medic, but i'll let you know how things turn out on my end, when i'm finished. Thanks again for the info :)
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 3:14 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
You have been a really cool "Question Asker", replies come few and far between.I do this for fun and helping, not for trying to improve my hunting and pecking, late at night, at my house!

I look forward to your outcome, however long it takes. Post it right here, just as you have done thus far.

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 4:02 AM
Tiny
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Will do Medic :)
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 AT 4:57 AM
Tiny
903ASP1
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Well i'm back MEDIC, and have almost finished driver side control arm. Taking off stabilizer link, bottom of shock absorber, control arm bolts, and ball joint went well. You know, the usual knuckle busters. The only thing left is to re-install torsion bar. And speaking of torsion bars, this my first attempt ever, messing with those. I have to say I was really nervous and apprehensive about attempting to loosen tension on that bad boy. I had visions of haveing my arm/hand ripped off, if my two jawed puller slipped off. Needless to say, it went smoothly, and I still have arm/hand. Will report back when I re-install torsion bar, but from what i've experienced already, I don't think it will be too hard :)
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Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
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My findings too!

Stuff usually ain't too hard, once you finally get motivated and get started on it!

Keep me posted

I crave responses, especially positive ones!

The Medic
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Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
903ASP1
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Well, I finished driver side, and torsion bar went in easy, and re-tensioning it went smooth also. Started, and finished passenger side, and as luck would have it, it didn't go as smooth. In fact it was down right catastrophic. Torsion bar was really seized up in control arm, and I had to put a long piece of round stock into outer control arm torsion bar hole, and punch it out with a sledge. In doing so, a couple of broken chips flew off of round stock. One hit me in the stomach ( hurt like hell ), and unfortunately another chip flew 18', and shattered the rear driver side window on my Lincoln Navigator. Talk about having crappy luck :( Well, at least control arm/ball joint probs are fixed on the Explorer, now I can devote my time to buying/replacing Lincoln rear side window. Lol. Thanks for the initial help/info my friend. Hope you have better luck in whatever you have to do in the future, and it turns out better than my fiasco :)
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Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 AT 11:48 PM
Tiny
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That's not good!

I thought that stuff only happened to me!

Insurance maybe do the window?

Here lately, I've been doing the "Safety Glasses" thing, I used to be invincible (now I'm 47), but seems to be wearing off as I get older.

After 2-3 incidents, that left me covering my eyes and squealing like a little girl.I finally gave in!

If you ever need "ME", just come back to this post and add to it.

Thanks for using "US", Come back to see us!

The Medic
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Monday, May 23rd, 2011 AT 12:06 AM
Tiny
903ASP1
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Apparently, crap follows me too. Lol. Will come back. Have used info from site before. It's a great site for info from guys who have done what you're trying to do, or experts with hands on knowledge. Great site guys. Keep up the good work :)
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Monday, May 23rd, 2011 AT 12:20 AM

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