brnc_bstr87

I need to replace my ball joints on my '93 GT. I have heard something about having to replace the whole lower control arm to do so. Can anyone tell me if I really need to or can I just replace the ball joints. Thanks in advance...

Tony71502

The ball joints are I think riveted on? In which case you may have to drill the rivets and bolt the new bj on? IDK I haven't inspected the stock front control arms.

But no you don't have to have them replaced. My mechanic replaced just my ball joint during an inspection a few years back.

mattdel

The lower ball joints are a tapered housing requiring a ball joint press to install/remove.

If you don't have access to a press or an air compressor(to use an air gun on the press), you will need a very high heat torch set to expand the metal of the control arm, right around the ball joint, and the ball joint will virtually fall out of the control arm.

The problem with this tactic is there is no assurance that the metal will contract back the way it's supposed to be. I ran into this problem with a Crown Vic once.. The new ball joint popped into place with your hand and just fell right back out. New control arm was needed.