Lower balljoint advise - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

speaker_king · 07-09-2009, 14:19

Im trying to replace the lower balljoint on the passanger side, but i cant get the new one in, even with the joint press from autozone! Nobody i know has enough ass to force it up in there. Im told that it will need to go to a garage to be heated in order for it to go in. Is there any other way? We tried so hard to get it in there that the bottom round part of the balljoint is now dented in! And now i need a new one.

fixitnowlt · 07-09-2009, 20:20

I assure you, heat and torches are not necessary. I used this technique on Navigators and Town Cars. Not sure if you've tried it or it will work for you.

Do not use the press to install the joint. What you need is the sleeve from the tool kit that will support the joint from the bottom on the outside diameter of the joint. This will avoid crushing the bottom of the joint/socket. Lubricate the ball joint with something like a white grease or multipurpose lube. Place the sleeve on a floor jack and the ball joint on top of the sleeve and line it up with the hole in the control arm. Get it as straight as possible and jack it up into the hole of the control arm until the car is just coming off the jack stand. Hit the control arm itself just behind the joint. Use a 4-5lb maul and don't be afraid to hit it. Just watch out for the fender lip! This way you are forcing the arm onto the joint instead of the joint into the hole of the arm.

May your ass be with you!

speaker_king · 07-10-2009, 21:39

GOOD GOD! you are awsome, i never thought of using a jack that way. HAHA