Upper and lower control arms

2000 FORD EXPEDITION
150,000 MILES • 5.4L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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BTMACK16
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Just curious as to what all tools are required to change out the upper and lower control arms? Socket sizes and tools etc. Thanks!
Jul 4, 2019 at 2:08 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

You will need 1/2 drive sockets from 12mm to 27mm. You will need 1/2 ratchet along with various extensions.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/upper-control-arm-replacement

You will need 3/8 drive sockets from 8mm to 19mm as well. 3/8 ratchet and various extensions.

You will need a tuning fork with a good dead blow hammer.

Floor jack, jack stand as well.

White out to paint where the marks are for alignment as well.

Big job.

Roy



Jul 4, 2019 at 6:56 AM
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BTMACK16
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What is the tuning fork used for? Thank you for the much needed information! Also, the airbag suspension has been replaced sometime or another with the conversion they make for them, do I need a compressor for the spring? I wasn’t sure on that part. Thanks!
Jul 4, 2019 at 9:21 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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No, once you disconnect the struts, which is what I believe you have, it will not need to be compressed as it is part of the strut.

You are welcome.

A tuning fork is used to release the ball joints from the spindle once you loosen the nuts for the ball joints.

Roy
Jul 4, 2019 at 9:30 AM
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BTMACK16
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Could I just use two hammers to “shock” the ball join out? (Smacking spindle between the two hammers)
Jul 4, 2019 at 5:19 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You could. Just be very careful you do not hurt yourself.

Roy
Jul 4, 2019 at 5:24 PM
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BTMACK16
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Okay. Thanks a million man! Wish I would have known about this sight a long time ago!
Jul 4, 2019 at 5:51 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

We are always glad to help.

Roy
Jul 4, 2019 at 5:53 PM
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BTMACK16
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Got another question. How do you go about replacing the lower control arms? I noticed my torsion bars run into them. Seems more complicated than the uppers. Anyone have a repair guide for this? Thanks.
Jul 11, 2019 at 9:26 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Procedure below for you.

Roy

Removal
1. Remove the wheel hub.


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2. Make preliminary adjustment references.
1. Make an alignment mark on the torsion bar and the torsion bar crossmember support.
2. Measure and record the length.


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3. Relieve the torsion bar tension.
1. Remove the torsion bar adjuster bolt.
2. Install the Torsion Bar Tool with the Torsion Bar Tool Adapters in the B slots on the Torsion Bar Tool.
3. Tighten the Torsion Bar Tool until the torsion bar adjuster lifts off of the adjuster nut.
4. Remove the torsion bar adjuster nut.
5. Remove the Torsion Bar Tool.
6. Remove the torsion bar adjuster.


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4. Remove the stabilizer bar link nut from the front suspension lower arm.


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5. Remove the front shock absorber lower bolt and nut from the front suspension lower arm.


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6. Remove the lower ball joint castle nut.
1. Remove and discard the cotter pin.
2. Remove the lower ball joint castle nut.


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7. Using the Pitman Arm Puller, separate the front suspension lower arm from the front wheel knuckle.
- Separate the front suspension lower arm from the front wheel knuckle.


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8. Remove the front suspension lower arm.
1. Remove the two front suspension lower arm nuts.
2. Remove the two front suspension lower arm bolts.
3. Remove the front suspension lower arm and torsion bar as an assembly.
9. Separate the front suspension lower arm from the torsion bar.

Jul 12, 2019 at 2:10 AM
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BTMACK16
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So I have to go buy a torsion bar tool and The adapters before I can even change the lowers?
Jul 12, 2019 at 7:56 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You can do it without the tools but it will be much harder. You will need a tuning fork to release the ball joint. The torsion bar will be difficult to remove once you release all the tension without the tool. It pulls straight back buts gets stuck from age.

Roy
Jul 13, 2019 at 4:19 AM