MustangMan00

This is a write up on how to install Steeda X2 ball joints or any other ball joints for that matter. They cost me $130 from american muscle, and they lower the front approx. 1/2 inch..

Here is what you will need:



-Basic Hand Tools
-Torque Wrench
-Haynes Manual
-Jack
-Jack Stands
-Ball Joint Puller
-Ball Joint Seperator(Not Pictured)
-Steeda X2 Ball Joints
-Grease Gun
-Dremel Tool(not necessary but useful until you burn it out.....)
-Hammer

Step 1:
Jack up the car and take the wheel off(One side at a time).



Step 2:
Place Jack Stand here.



Step 3:
Take off caliper and caliper bracket.

Step 4:
Jack up the lower control and take off the retainer clips and rotor.





Step 5:
Take off strut tower plate bolts(15 mm).



Step 6:
Lower jack under control arm and compress strut and pull out(put somethign over the fender to not scratch it up).



Step 7:
Unbolt strut from spindle.



Step 8:
Rent the ball joint seperator(fork tool) i dont have any pictures because this part can be a PITA and took us a long time to get it off.
Sticking the fork in from the front is the easiest way to do it and hammer away if you do not have hair tools.




Here are my two friends comtemplating on what to do.



Step 9:
Set up the ball joint puller to drop the spindle out the bottom, this takes some thinking if you dont liek to read directions.





Here are the stock ball joints next to the Steeda X2 Ball Joints.



Step 10:
Press ball joint in from the bottom, again thinking about how do use the tool.



Step 11:
Some how take off the dust sheild(they say take it off for clearence issues)we tried the dremel tool but burned it out haha so my friend just ripped it out of there.



The man himself.......



Step 12:
DO NOT GREASE the ball joint until the end. In order to get the nut on the ball joint and keep it from spinning and to torque it down put the spindle on the ball joint and hammer it down a couple times. then torque it down to specs.

Step 13:
Re-install the bottom of the strut and torque the boltsdown.

Step 14:
Compress strut by hand and have a friend jack up the control arm why you guide the strut into the tower, and then torque the strut tower bolts down.

Step 15:
Install rotor, caliper bracket, and caliper.

Step 16:
Grease the ball joints

Step 17:
Check all bolts and everything else and reinstall wheel.

Step 18:
Repeat for other side.

Step 19:
Get an alignment.

Here is a before picture of just the front.



Here are pics of after with the Eibach Pro Kit and Steeda ball joints in front, with 17 inch wheels.



We measured before and after and it was pretty much 1/2 in.

Here is a side shot you can tlel the front is lower than the rear, not much but i love it jsut that LITTLE bit of extra lowering goes a long way.




Any questions or comments post em up.

-Pat

96gtchinook

when i changed mine out, I didn't need to unbolt the strut and sway bar end links. This was on my 96 so im not sure in your situation, but this would definately save time for anyone who reads this. Nice write up though.

GolfmanSpeck

did you just change the ball joints or did you to the springs at the same time? Cause I don't think the ball joints alone lowered mine when I did them... Maybe it did,I didn't really check it.

uberstang1

I must ask, was this done in a walmart parking lot.[&:]

MustangMan00

ya just ball joints lowered 1/2 in, amd no it was my schools parking deck

oxfordgt

Nice write up. You can skip removing the rotor, calper bracketand unbolting the the top strut retaining bolt. Just unbolt the bottom 2 strut bolts and drop the A arm just like if you were changing out springs. To make the removal of the dust covers easier just drill out the 3 rivits and watch it fall off. I have the x2ball joints and still have the dust covers. If I have no clearence issues than nobody should.

1fstblckgt

Good write up. Thanks for the info. Im about to lower my car (hopefully this weekend) do you think that the ball joints are necessary? did it help dramatically with the handling? What is the full purpose for them to be upgraded?

MustangMan00

well the stock ones arent greaseable so evenutlaly u gotta change em out, i mainly did em for the little lower stance in the front, i jsut followed steeda instructions and i guess you can do it other ways, but i couldnt get the nut off the top of the ball joint without removing the bottom of the strut, so i guess once you get to workin on it you can just swing it

90lxstang

Did you notice any change in handling or ride quality after the install?

califas_1987

Excellent write up, I defenitely like the stance, and now thinking maybe I should go with some aftermarket springs and ball joints to get the look and quality I was originally looking for before my drop.