[ FYI FORD - MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum ]

If you wish to contribute to support this site, email mustangsteve66@yahoo.com REMEMBER!!! When posting a question about your Mustang or other Ford on this FORD MUSTANG FORUM, BE SURE to tell us what it is, what year, engine, etc so we have enough information to go on.

Upper Ball Joints Posted by Billkubi on 10/31/2009, 9:24 pm 98.64.215.3 How do you change these. will anything fall down when I unbolt the 4 bolts. I have an upper ball joint seperator. I did not want any sudden surprises when I attempt this job.  Post an Intelligent Response

They should ................... Posted by Mustsed on 11/1/2009, 1:19 am, in reply to "Upper Ball Joints" 85.110.241.121 come off when you unbolt the 4 bolts. If the PO has done some "work" to them like breaking the tabs that hold the 2 halfes together, they might fall apart in pieces but there is nothing that might do harm you. Go ahead........ Mustsed Nothing is impossible, some just cost more!!! www.mustsed.com  Post an Intelligent Response

Re: They should ................... Posted by Billkubi on 11/1/2009, 8:47 am, in reply to "They should ..................." 65.9.180.126 what is the step by step process? First unbolt the 4 bolts Then take out the cotter pin and big nut then seperate the ball joint from the upper suspension arm or is the order different?? will the lower arm fall down????  Post an Intelligent Response

I start with separating................ Posted by Mustsed on 11/1/2009, 9:07 am, in reply to "Re: They should ..................." 85.110.241.121 the balljoint from the spindel first then remove it from the UCA by unbolting the 4 bolts. Never tried it the other way but when the balljoint starts turning with the nut, you will have a place to hold it with a prybar when still attached on the UCA. If all this is on a fully loaded UCA with everything still attached to it, then you will have to place a support between the framerail bottom lip and the UCA channel right behind the balljoint See pic). Hope that helps. Mustsed Nothing is impossible, some just cost more!!! www.mustsed.com  Post an Intelligent Response

Re: I start with separating................ Posted by Billkubi on 11/1/2009, 10:06 am, in reply to "I start with separating................" 65.9.180.126 Not sure what you mean by fully loaded..? The car is currently on jack stands with the wheels removed and the suspension is just hanging there. I think the UCA is as far down as it can go I am afraid that if I unbolt the four bolts holding the Ball Joint to the upper control arm the lower control arm will suddenly drop down. Should I remove the brake caliper and wheel hub or can it be safely done with those in place? I have a tool I borrowed from auto zone called an upper ball joint seperator that is used to seperate the ball joint from the spindal once it is free of the upper control arm. I want to be sure I am doing it safely and will not have any sudden surprises  Post an Intelligent Response

Do it in this order... Posted by MustangSteve on 11/1/2009, 11:50 am, in reply to "Re: They should ..................." Forum Owner and Moderator Jack up the car on jackstands. Loosen the nut holding the ball joint to the spindle. Use ball joint separator tool to get the stud loose from the spindle. DO NOT REMOVE THE NUT, just loosen it several turns, then hit it with the pickle fork. After the stud pops loose, then you can remove the nut and push the spindle down and off the stud. Be sure both sides of the car are jacked up evenly or this step won't work! If the balljoint is held onto the upper control arm with rivets, use a 1/8", then a 1/4" drill bit to drill through the center of the rivets. Next take a cold chisel (wear eye protection) and slice the heads off the rivets. If the ball joints are bolted on, simply remove the bolts. Install zerk fitting on the ball joint, and then install the new ball joint to the control arm with the new bolts. Place the spindle arm back onto the balljoint stud and torque it and install cotter pin. Don't forget to grease it, and do not OVER grease it. MustangSteve http://www.mustangsteve.com http://www.mustangsteve.com/My66FB_Signature_marks.jpg  Post an Intelligent Response

Re: Do it in this order... Posted by Billkubi on 11/1/2009, 12:18 pm, in reply to "Do it in this order..." 65.9.183.32 I have the general idea, how far down will the lower control arm and spindle move? What does loaded mean??? As I understand it right now, the only thing holding the lower control arm and spindle in place while they are hanging suspended is the upper ball joint, is that correct???.  Post an Intelligent Response

Re: I start with separating................ Posted by Billkubi on 11/1/2009, 12:25 pm, in reply to "I start with separating................" 65.9.183.32 Can you show me the rest of the instructions including figure 5 which shows how to position the ball joint remover tool. I want to see if it is like the tool I have borrowed  Post an Intelligent Response

Re: Do it in this order... Posted by MustangSteve on 11/1/2009, 4:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Do it in this order..." Forum Owner and Moderator The lower control arm and the sway bar will hold it up. The sway bar will try to keep the lower control arm parallel to the one on the other side of the car. That is why you will have to push down on the spindle to get it to come out of the ball joint stud. Spindle will try to fall over and can stress the brake hose if you don't keep it in line, but it can't really go anywhere. MustangSteve http://www.mustangsteve.com http://www.mustangsteve.com/My66FB_Signature_marks.jpg  Post an Intelligent Response

Re: Do it in this order... Posted by Billkubi on 11/1/2009, 5:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Do it in this order..." 98.64.214.172 Thanks for the info, I never thought about the brake hose, but I did think the spindle would fall down and tilt out  Post an Intelligent Response

Re: Do it in this order... Posted by Billkubi on 11/2/2009, 8:40 am, in reply to "Re: Do it in this order..." 65.9.176.28 Job is done, the upper ball joints were easier to change then the sway bar bushings and links. Thanks for all the tips and advice.  Post an Intelligent Response

     «Back to thread

REMEMBER!!! When posting a question about your Mustang or other Ford on this FORD MUSTANG FORUM, BE SURE to tell us what it is, what year, engine, etc so we have enough information to go on.