1999 Ford Ranger Ball JOINTS

LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT & BUSHINGS

NOTE: Lower ball joints and bushings are an integral part of lower control arm, and are replaced only as an assembly.

Removal
1. Place steering wheel and steering system in the centered position. Raise vehicle on hoist. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Disconnect stabilizer bar link from lower control arm. Remove 2 shock absorber-to-lower control arm nuts. Remove torsion bars. See TORSION BAR. 2. Remove and discard lower ball joint cotter pin. Remove lower ball joint nut. Using Pitman Arm Puller (T64P-3590-F), separate lower ball joint from steering knuckle. Wire steering

SUSPENSION - FRONT - 4WD TORSION BAR -1999 Ford Ranger

knuckle to frame. Remove front and rear lower control arm pivot bolts, and remove lower control arm from vehicle. Inspect lower ball joints and boot seals. Replace lower control arm assembly to service ball joints and bushings (if necessary).
Installation
1. Lower control arm forward pivot bolts must be tightened first with lower control arm at normal ride height. Install NEW cotter pin toward engine compartment. Ensure head of cotter pin is facing tire. Ensure fingers of cotter pin are bent at a right angle to secure.
2. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten remaining bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Perform wheel end vacuum leak test. See WHEEL END VACUUM LEAK TEST under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Check
ride height. See RIDE HEIGHT under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Check wheel alignment. See appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
UPPER CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT & BUSHINGS

NOTE: Upper ball joints and bushings are an integral part of the upper control arm, and are replaced only as an assembly.

CAUTION: Before separating upper control arm from steering knuckle, wire steering knuckle to frame. Failure to do so can cause damage to front axle shaft.
Removal
1. Place steering wheel and steering system in the centered position. Raise vehicle on hoist, and support lower control arm. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove upper ball joint-to-steering knuckle pinch bolt. Wire steering knuckle to frame to prevent it from tilting outward after upper ball joint has been removed. 2. Separate upper ball joint from steering knuckle. Remove nuts and cam bolts attaching upper control arm-to-frame, and remove upper control arm.

SUSPENSION - FRONT - 4WD TORSION BAR -1999 Ford Ranger
.
Installation
1. Install NEW alignment plates and cams. Lower control arm forward pivot bolts must be tightened first with lower control arm at normal ride height. 2. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten remaining bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Perform wheel end vacuum leak test. See WHEEL END VACUUM LEAK TEST under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Check wheel alignment. See appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.