Thursday, September 15, 2011

How to change a front lower ball joint on a 2003 ford explorer?

im going to replace a front lower ball joint on my 2003 ford explorer 2wd. are there any tricks or tips i should know before i start?
How to change a front lower ball joint on a 2003 ford explorer?
Drive to your local dealer. Pull into the service drive. Speak with a Service Rep. Tell him you need the lower ball joint replaced. Go hang out in the customer lounge for about 3 hours. Drink their coffee, watch their television. Go argue for a discount because you don't feel like paying the amount quoted to you. Threaten to give them a bad survey. Get what you want. Drive home.



Not a bad day's work.
How to change a front lower ball joint on a 2003 ford explorer?
Item 11: Lower Ball Joint-to-Wheel knuckle Nut Removal Note

CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle can result. CAUTION: Do not damage the ball joint boot while installing the special tool.



Using the special tool, separate the lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle
the way I do it is to remove the lower control arm and carry it to a shop press and press the old ball joint out and press the new ball joint in.
Just changed mine last weekend. It was a piece of cake.

You do not need to remove the control arm. Go to autozone or advanceauto and get the loaner tool to remove and install the ball joint. You need to have the capabilty to jack your vehicle up pretty high (the tool is long and you need to have enough clearance for the installation of the new ball joint. Also you need to remove the through bolt for the upper ball joint so you can manuver the spindal enoungh to separate all the parts.

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