2001 Ford Explorer Esplorer sportrack ball joint (drivetrai

PHANTOM ZERO

MEMBER
2001 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
86,000 MILES

Can I just replace the ball joints on the lower control arm because some autoparts just sell the actual ball joints but the manual says different I can find the control arm with the ball joint but really my question is is that I want to balance my wheels but my ball joints are blown what is suggested to do replace the balljoint and the control arm is it necessary for the lower ones to replace the control arm as well etc or can I just add the ball joint etc

1 Reply

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

Balance your wheel? Balancing your wheel has little to do with blown ball joints. If you mean alignment, then it makes more sense. The shop can't really align the vehicle with blown ball joint. Well, they can, but you won't feel any benefit from it.

You can replace just the ball joint or the entire control arm. The ball joint (McQuay Norris FA2100) option is obviously cheaper, for $43 a piece and the control arm (FA4190 right, FA4191 left) is $97 a piece. But if you do the control arm option, you will saving time and a few swear words trying to press the old ball joint out and the new ball joint in into the control arm. And you will also have replaced the control arm bushings that are prone to damage.