ghunt

Went to get my car inspected yesterday with 70K on the odo and they told me my passenger side ball joint was bad (well, and let me wiggle the tire to feel the play), and quoted me $377 to replace it. Ha, no. For as much as Ford brags up on these sealed ball joints they sure seem like crap, I've had issues with them on every vehicle I've owned that had them! Ordered some MOOG ones with a proper grease fitting last night, guess I gotta get to that sometime soon.

Here's a question I did have, if anyone has replaced their ball joints...do they press out from the top, or bottom?

Nuke

Get a 2nd opinion.

petrock

I’m not sure if they press in from top or bottom on your ride. On my wifey’s ’98 they press in from the bottom. It should be pretty easy to find out though. Just take a look at the ball joint in the control arm. If the top is wider then the bottom then it presses in from the top. If the bottom is wider then the top, then it presses in from the bottom.

You can rent a C-Clamp style ball joint press from various auto parts stores. You get your money back when you return it. Pretty simple to use with a 1/2” ratchet or braker bar. Even easier with an impact wrench.

hootie_john

For that, you can get replacement LCA with the upgraded ball joints. Or you can go with the Steeda X5 or whatever....don't replace with the Ford stockers.

ghunt

It definitely had play in it, didn't see much sense in getting a second opinion. Plus a google search told me that these early S197's had ball joint issues. Like I said I ordered some Moog ball joints ($80 for both sides) and plan to rent a press and replace them, I did ball joints on my old F250 a couple years ago and it was a lot older and rustier than this thing so it shouldn't be too difficult.

roegs

Most just upgrade to the GT500 lower control arms. They are supposed to have a beefier lower ball joint. My ball joints are bad and I have a set of GT500 lower control arms in the garage waiting to be installed.

Goldenpony

Hey roegs,
How much did these LCA set you back?

roegs

I bought them back in May for $264.00. Part number is M-3075-E. I get all my FRPP stuff from Tousley Ford Parts. Their prices are very good and I've had excellent customer service from them.

Lem-06

I bought a steeda bump steer kit when I lowered my car, the stock pieces are removed quiet easily via removing the nut, and gently tapping the end of the bolt and it will drop out of the bottom, then just slip the new one into place and torque it up

ffk_pennywise

I had to replace my stock ball joints at 60k. I used the Moogs and they are still going strong at 140k miles. Sorry i don't remember which way they came out. Its been a few years.