Ball joint replacement

[Randy Monroe]

I had new tires put on my ST and they said that my left side ball joint was going bad. I have not jacked the ST up yet to check it, but I was wondering if anyone has had one go bad or if anyone has changed one out yet. I haven't heard any talk of ball joint issues with anyone here. I have an 02 4X4 with 63,XXX on it.

 

[Ryan Thompson]

if it is anything like my 04 ST i had to change the whole upper control arm!

 

[Todd Z]

Randy, the earlier ST's were plagued with ball joint problems.. My 2003 only had 50K when the 2 uppers went....



Todd Z

 

[Jeffksf B]

Yep my lowers were shot, the uppers have a little play, not nearly as much as the lowers did.

 

[Woppy V]

I've always wondered this... how do u know when they go bad?

 

[tony brizag]

alright somebody chime in... I am highly highly mechanically inclined and i attempted to get the upper ball joint out of the spindle for a few minutes a while back and couldnt get it out. How the heck does it come out of the spindle??? I mean all that seems to hold it in is that one bolt, but i took that out, beat on it a while and it moved out maybe 1/4 inch...

 

[Jeffksf B]

Keep beating on it, you spryed it down wit hpenetrating spray right?



Woppy, if it sounds like you have a few rattles up front then the easiest way to check is jack up the front enought to get a shovel, long 2x4, or some other lever under your tires, then pick up on the lever and feel for movement, it might help to have a second person do the levering while you are inspecting the ball joint for movement.

 

[Chad Merry]

Sounds like you need a bigger hammer. I use my 5lb hammer a couple whacks and it comes right out. Upper ball joints are very simple to change, lowers require the ball joint press, but still very simple.

Good luck.



Chad

 

[Todd Z]

you can spread the top spindle it will pop right out...



Don't just beat things with hammers....



Todd Z

 

[Tom Schindler]

We changed the lower ball joints on my brothers 1999 and did not need a press.





Tom

 

[Randy Monroe]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll get right on changing that in the spring along with the shocks.