Changing balljoints vs changing out entire control arms

[Joe Godbee 2]

Hey guys,



I'm replacing all of the suspension components on my 01 2wd Trac.



I've got a set of Moog ball joints here, but after reading about how much of a pain it was to replace them, I ordered a whole new set of Dorman lower control arms with balljoints already pressed in as well.



So now I have either option. Replace ball joints or replace entire control arm. After reading in the Haynes manual the process for changing the control arms (ie - removing the entire torsion bar), I'm thinking either option is going to equally suck.



What are your thoughts and opinions?

 

[swshawaii]

Don't see any reason for changing the entire LCA's, unless the bushings are worn.

Would think the OEM control arms are of higher quality compared to the Dorman replacements.

Moog seems to be the aftermarket brand of choice here. Just have the proper tools on hand.

 

[Joe Godbee 2]

swshawaii,



I understand that Moog has great products and I have the lower ball joints and their upper control arms.



I've yet to find a lower control arm made by them however, so if you want to get new lower CA's, you have to go with another brand.

 

[swshawaii]

Just seems more labor intensive to change both lower control arms,

if only the ball joints are worn, and the bushings are in good shape.

Using a puller to remove my torsion bars while installing lowering keys, scared me. GL

 

[scott degroot]

On a 10 year old vehicle I think you are doing the right thing by replacing the whole arm. I realize that there is probably nothing wrong with the arm itself but it's just convenient when you dpon't have to press the ball joint or new bushings in and while they may not look it the lower bushings are probably a bit worn. Dorman makes very good replacement parts.

 

[EddieS'04]

Most parts stores will loan a BJ press, with deposit.

Not that hard to do either.

You may need special tools for torsion bar removal. Im not sure the trac bars relax completly after backing them off.

Unless you have been beating on your trac. Off road, bad roads, etc.

They may not be bad. Not saying they arent. Just my experiance. It has been along time since I have had bad bushings on a street driven car. They must make them better nowdays. 'Cause in the old days(20yrs ago). They would wear out in 50K or less. I see alot of cars and trucks with 200k, and the CA bushings are still tight.

Your choice though. GL.......

 

[Phil Frady]

I was going to change the lower control arms untill I saw the torsion bar going through it. So I did like EddieS'04 said, just rent a Ball Joint Press from auto store. Even if you loosen the adjustment screw on the torsion bar, you don't reall know how much pressure it still has.

 

[mike burns 3]

Not to bad to change just the ball joint



I had much better lock with the OEM sealed ball joint (now that ford sells them). Not sure if was because of living on a dirt road or what but I never got more than 25K out of the moog. Sealed motocraft went 80K and is still going.



Plus you dont have to grease the darn thing

 

[EddieS'04]

Plus you dont have to grease the darn thing

All ball joints are sealed. Also if I drive in road extreme conditions. I definitly want to grease them. I grease my oem's now with a needle and my pnuematic grease gun.



Just replaced the greased for life oem's on mom grand marquis. Not because they were bad. But the milage and the grease boots were split open. Open to dirt and water. If the boots had been good and they had grease fittings. I would not have changed them. They were still tight.



Greased for life is a BS statment IMO. What life. Ford only warantees them for 12 months. If they install them. I have seen seals rupture within 2 years.