Balljoint question
 

Ive searched and cant find my exact answer. I need to replace my upper and lower ball joints, but what I need to know is how do I know if I need the upper control arm to? Can I not just replace the balljoint? I found the MOOG part #'s for the upper control arm and balljoint by the way.

If you already have the moog upper arms then you can just replace the balljoints. But if you're still rockin the factory upper arms then the whole arm will have to be replaced.

Some stock upper arms have cast in balljoints and some are pressed in.

If I were you I would just get the moog arms with balljoints in them, it will make it a whole lot easier to replace

Never mind. I need to read things a little more slowly.

His is an edge so it will have the cast balljoints. The whole arm will have to be replaced.

The 2-piece PS design allows an alignment adjustment called "caster split". Apparently, this adjustment proved to be unnecessary in the field - it was eliminated from the production Rangers a few years ago. All Ranger UCA's are now one piece, right and left. Ford has discontinued the 2-piece PS replacement arm and Moog is following suit.

On rockauto.com they still sell the one and 2 piece. And the 2 piece says right side and the one piece is for the left. Should I order 2 lefts?

No, the DS will not fit the PS correctly because the balljoint is not centered relative to the pivots. You'll need one DS and one PS UCA.

Figured. Just a stupid question.

So does my 2003 have the 2 piece upper? Premierranger99 is selling both sides but the passenger is a 2 piece.

You'll have to check it because the change was made in the middle of model year 2003. Just look at both sides - the 2-piece difference is very obvious.

Note that these numbers are for with the Rangers with torsion bar suspension ONLY (98+ 4x4, 2000 Trailhead, 2001+ Edge).


DS one-piece UCA 98~2006:
(MOOG K8708T):
UCA w/replaceable/greasable ball joint
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/...V55043168_.jpg

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PS one-piece UCA 2003 1/2~2006:
(MOOG K80068)
UCA w/replaceable/greasable ball joint
Similar appearance to K8708T above but with slightly different ball joint offset.

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PS 2-piece style ball joint carrier only 98~2003 1/2
(MOOG K8710T) :
Carrier w/replaceable/greasable ball joint
Note: this part is still available but discontinued and can be replaced by the complete 1-piece K80068 UCA for the PS.
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/...V55043888_.jpg

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Lower ball joint only 98+
(MOOG K8695T)
Greasable, fits DS and PS

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...g-k8695t_w.jpg

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Outer tie rod end 98+
(MOOG ES3461)
Greasable, fits DS and PS

Thanx for your help Bob. I will be ordering them.

whats the prices on these parts and where can i purchase them?

Approximate prices for MOOG parts:

$115~150 each for the upper control arms (including replaceable balljoints)
$38~50 each for lower balljoints
$28~35 each for tie rod ends

Buy them online or at auto parts stores everywhere. It pays to shop around.

So far the cheapest I found Moog products at is rockauto. Cost me a total of $274.27.
Driver control arm: $104.79
Passenger control arm: $100.79
Lower ball joints: $28.79X2
Shipping: $11.11

Good deal for MOOG stuff.

^^^With your help I ordered the correct stuff. Thanx again.

I found them online at NAPA for $87

Son of a b*tch!!! JK All well. Like I always say, "You can't take your money with you when you die."

You can bet that is not MOOG, probably an import.

I checked but they only offer the lower ball joint and control arm. There is no name on any of their stuff.

I found the upper arms on Napa's site and they have two types available, the $87 one and another that is $139.

The more expensive one says "Application Engineered to Meet or Exceed O.E. Design and Quality". The cheaper one says nothing....

i got my lower ones from o'rielly and the uppers from summit... i think you got a better deal on the lowers but i paid the same for the uppers... and for some reason summit didn't carry the new one piece upper so i still have the 2 piece one

I see why they were cheap now haha.