The original upper control arm ball joints are shot on my stock ranger. I have seen info on replacing these, but some say that both the upper and lower should be replaced at the same time ALONG with the torsion bar.
Is all that really needed for 'normal' use (im not rock crawling yet- just road and farm use) Or is just the two upper arms (I have 1 piece) ok to replace by themselves, im not going to try to just do the ball because every says you cant or its a waste of time.
Who is the current replacement choice for this part? Moog? since ford no longer stocks it.


'98 4x4 XLT 4.0 super cab

 

Go to RockAuto.com and enter your truck. There are plenty to choose from.
Generally, selecting mid-price and up is the way to go.

 

My passenger right side has the two-piece design (anyone know why its different?). Searching the webs people say its ok to swap out to the 1 pc style and the ford parts guy said the 1 pc style is the replacement standard for it and what comes up for parts search.
But one can still get the replace ball joint arm for the 2-pc style if one wishes.
Since I bought the part, I was going to try the 1 pc style hopefully it will align. When I called the local parts store to get a price for the 2pc style and to return the 1 pc arm I got lectured about how dumb I am/was to not look at both sides first before I bought it [everyone knows it's not the same].

Has anyone had an issue with the right side 1 arm style or I should stick to the 2 pc style??

Sadly, it looks like I need to replace the tube I think controls the hub, but I can't find a diagram or part# for that. Its not the brake line but the soft tube, I think its part number 3c128 but not sure. Anyone know what that part is called or what the replacement is?

 

Well I tried the one pc on the passage side, and they could just not get it to align, they say my frame maybe tweaked too much for the single style UCA and I should try going back to the 2 pc design.
I can find the part number for the UCA with the ball jt- but not the mounting bracket with bushings that goes to the frame. Luckly, I kept the old 2 pc UCA. I don't really want to put it back in with the 1998 bushings so if I cant get a new bracket I just I will try replacing the bushings.
Has anyone tried doing that or does it even matter???
Does anyone know the p/n for that passenger side 2 pc bracket UCA or know what bushings to use to replace the old ones with?

As a side note, I will have a barely used TTX single pc passenger side UCA with about 200 dry highway miles on it for sale if someone wants a high quality UCA on discount.

 

I have a 99 4.0. What you want for that 1 piece TTX uca? Im thinking about changing my 2 piece to 1 piece. Go to Rock Auto and plug in your trucks info. You should be able to find exactly what you need. MOOG K8704 is th PN for upper control arm bushings.

 

I have it out if you would like it. got about 260 miles on it.

 

Send me a PM on what you want for it

 

I have that barely used passenger side TTX Upper Control arm if anyone is interested...
DM me