ball joint

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jlp9144

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Hello all.... Im changing my lower ball joints on my 1997 Expedition XLT 4x4 im going to put on Moog ball joints. My question is I see 2 types 1 is the regular one that presses in and the 2nd is one that looks like it has a leg on it for 2 bolts. Which is the correct one to use thanks for the help
 

FordandPolaris

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Well the one that is pressed in is the lower ball joint while the one with the "leg" (actually its techically an arm haha) is the upper ball joint. You will probably want to do both while you are in there, but if money is tight, you can do the lower one without needing an alignment done.
 

BANGEREXPO76

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Hello all.... Im changing my lower ball joints on my 1997 Expedition XLT 4x4 im going to put on Moog ball joints. My question is I see 2 types 1 is the regular one that presses in and the 2nd is one that looks like it has a leg on it for 2 bolts. Which is the correct one to use thanks for the help

You will need the press in type for your lower ball joints.
 

Brusky

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i have a couple pics of the lower (press in) on my profile along with the swaybar links completed.

i found mevotech lowers with grease fittings on parts king for under $30 for the pair
 

rtbrjason

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I just did all 4 on my 99 with Moog parts with the grease fittings. The lowers are the ones that do most of the work and go bad more often than the uppers. The Moog are very solid pieces and I spent about $120 for all 4.
 

BANGEREXPO76

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I just did all 4 on my 99 with Moog parts with the grease fittings. The lowers are the ones that do most of the work and go bad more often than the uppers. The Moog are very solid pieces and I spent about $120 for all 4.

Did you remove and press the new upper ball joints into the upper control arms?
 

rtbrjason

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Did you remove and press the new upper ball joints into the upper control arms?

No actually, I found the uppers with control arms for a great price and went with that. The rubber bushings on the original control arms were pretty shot so it made sense to do it all. Lowers I just did the ball joints and pressed them in.

I did this around the same time as a set of Bilstein HD shocks, so I can't be sure how much the ball joints helped but the truck rides and handles and feels considerably better.
 

BANGEREXPO76

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No actually, I found the uppers with control arms for a great price and went with that. The rubber bushings on the original control arms were pretty shot so it made sense to do it all. Lowers I just did the ball joints and pressed them in.

I did this around the same time as a set of Bilstein HD shocks, so I can't be sure how much the ball joints helped but the truck rides and handles and feels considerably better.

Ok I was asking because I didnt think the upper ball joints could be pressed out of our trucks. I did mine as well and had to change the entire assembly as well as get the camber readjusted which wasnt cheap. I was about to be pissed if you pressed your out. LOL
 

districk81

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I have a 2000EB can I change my upper ball joints without a press and should I change the lowers i'll need a press right?
 

FordandPolaris

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Yes you can change them without a press. They come pre-pressed into the upper control arm, so you just take out the two bolts holding the upper control arm and the one holding the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Knock it loose with a ball joint fork and the whole thing just slides out. Try and mark where the upper control arm bolts are though, as you need to get it close in order to get the alignment somewhat right. You will still want a professional alignment done fairly soon after doing them (within a week). I chewed through the last 20% of my last set of tires because I waited a month or so to get an alignment.

I would recommend changing the lowers, as they take much of the stress and are the more common one to wear out. You will need a press, but you can rent the kit from any auto parts store. Requires a collateral feel at first, but after you return the kit, you get the money back. You can do the lowers without needing an alignment. If you do have to do them one set at a time, as opposed to doing both the uppers and lowers, do the lowers first. You would also be wise to do the tie rod ends at the same time you are doing the uppers as changing out the tie rod ends requires an alignment afterwards. May as well save some money having to get only one alignment as opposed to two.

Here is a vid that will help you a lot.

PART 1 How To Install Replace Lower Ball Joint 97-03 Ford F-150 Expedition 1AAuto.com - YouTube
 
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