how do you know when your '65 mustang Upper & Lower Ball Joints have gone bad? Im in the process of installing my disc brakes and was told to change these now, if needed.

 

well 1st off look for torn boots if its torn its a good idea to replace themsince they are contaminated, also grasp the spindle and check for play it should be rigid etc i would definitely do a complete lower control arm since the bushing is probably eaten up if its original

 

Wiggle the wheel/tire top to bottom it should not have any play in it.

 

If you have got the frontend taken down to the point of converting to disc brakes,
then this would be the time to check and it would be easy to remove the spindles from the control arms / Ball joints
then as the others said check for tears or loss in grease and simply move the ball joint around if it moves floppy/ freely then they are worn out ,however if they are still
tight / hard to move with no flop then they are most likely still OK, if the ball joints do happen to be bad? they are revited on the lower control arm and ball joint come as one unit, the good news is the upper is bolted on,
I am in the process of converting from 4 lug to 5 lug wheels and am told that someone makes a lower replacement ball joint that bolts in by drilling out the vevits of the old ones and using the holes from where the revits were to reinstal.
But I have yet to find them...

 

id just replace them you already there why do the same thing twice.

 

where the heck do you buy lower ball joints? everywhere i look, they only sell upper 4-bolt ball joints.

 

Everyone I know just buys a whole lower arm unlessthey have modifyied the lower arm (like boxed it in)

 

www.CJPonyParts.com and www.DallasMustang.com both carry upper and lower ball joints. I've done most all of my restore thus far from these two vendors. For the lowers, it's not too much more money to buy a whole new control arm, depending on the condition of yours, that may be the way to go...

 

If you are going through the trouble, I personally would just replace the tie rod ends, upper and lower control arms and spring saddle. Why wait til they give you a problem? With the upper controll arms you must also remember the shaft which wears out as well. You can by a replacement to go on your old arm, however, the arm is usuall rounded out and will not accpt a replacement. This makes buying a complete new arm a no brainer. You will also have the benefit of grease zerks in the shaft ends that will allow future lube.Lower arm also has a bushing at the frame end. Replace it all fresh, if you have the money, and you weill have peace of mind and I am sure you will notice a difference in how the car rides and handles v. the original stuff.

Good luck.

 

I agree, if you've got the time, money and even think they might need replaced, now's the time. Might be pointing out the obvious here but when it comes to steering, suspension and brakes, don't mess around, if it looks worn, replace it before it leads to more serious problems.