How hard of a fix is this?

[jbattlesjr]

This happened initially as my wife got off the expess way going to pick up my daughter. It actually broke and came to a stop about 3-4 miles later. I am assuming this is the lower control arm bushing that connects at the spindle. Is this something an slightly above average mechanic(meaning myself) can do on his own or should I seek help? How long of a job am I looking at? I would like to save the money if I could but I need my truck so I guess what ever it takes.

Thanks for the help.

 

[FordandPolaris]

It looks like you lost your lower ball joint, if I am looking at the pictures right. They are upside down so I was rotating my laptop to get the best angle haha. I was 18 at the time I changed my upper and lower balljoints. They are not too difficult, and this is the video I watched to do them. I rented the press kit from O'Reilly and just bought a ball joint fork from there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw2e82Tic1g

Good luck!

 

[jbattlesjr]

After going back and reading in the suspension section which I should have done in the first place, I guess that is the ball joint. The same question still applies. Could someone please clarify for me the broken part? I'm not new to working on cars but am somewhat new on suspension stuff.

 

[jbattlesjr]

Sorry for the pics. Those were taken with my phone and I didn't realize they were flipped.

 

[Stoned06]

With the right tools, you can do it. Just need the time to get it done. If it were me, I would replace the entire lower control arm. A new one will come with the ball joint installed. While you are in there doing that, I would also do the upper ball joint (and maybe the upper control arm) as I would guess it is in the same condition, esp since it is being stressed as it sits now. Glad she was able to get it stopped in a controlled fashion and nothing more serious happened. Good luck.

 

[99-4wd]

def the lower ball joint. same deal happened to me, i was about to go in reverse and snap the ball joint done.
i changed the lca bushings, ball joints, axle, sway-bar end links bushings and upper control arms. (both sides) still have upper control arm bushing to do. bushings are polyurethane. also added adjustable camber bolts.

for the lower ball joints i bought a balljoint removal tool from harbor freight. worked like a charm and inexpensive.

good luck!!!

 

[jbattlesjr]

Thanks for the info guys.

99-4wd I would love to do the entire front end but my pockets say other wise. Right now my income is the ONLY income and its starting to hurt a little. We have that truck and I have a Marquis. 2 V8's in the drive way is not a good thing when money is tight. I have been thinking about letting the truck go and getting something smaller. With Christmas approaching and 3 kids that want everything its going to get rough.

Thanks again for the help. Don't know if I really have the time to stop and do it. I do have a good mechanic that is reasonalbe and mobile tho.

 

[mindgame]

I also would suggest getting a replacement lower controller arm as suggested by stoned06.

However, if funds are really tight, then you can press in another ball joint into the lower controller arm with the right tools. Be warned.. If it is rusted tight, be prepared to PB Blaster, BFH (BigFrickenHammer) so you can torque the press without damaging it...

If you are really warry... Just remove the lower controller arm, and take it to a Ford dealer or nearby auto shop, and ask if they can replace the LC with a new Bjoint..

Obviously this is not going to cost as much as a new LC, but if you never did a BJ press replacement, taking the LC to a shop maybe the best option...

Good luck

 

[99-4wd]

Thanks for the info guys.

99-4wd I would love to do the entire front end but my pockets say other wise. Right now my income is the ONLY income and its starting to hurt a little. We have that truck and I have a Marquis. 2 V8's in the drive way is not a good thing when money is tight. I have been thinking about letting the truck go and getting something smaller. With Christmas approaching and 3 kids that want everything its going to get rough.

Thanks again for the help. Don't know if I really have the time to stop and do it. I do have a good mechanic that is reasonalbe and mobile tho.

i totally heard that. the job isnt too bad IMO, but replacing the lower control, in my case any way is really hard being that the torsion bar has been there for so many years that taking it out was very hard, so i gave up and just replaced all the components on the arm itself.

again good luck to ya

 

[splintrcel]

Um sir, your lower a arm seems not to be attached. this may lower the over all performance of your vehicle. Ball joints arent impossible provided you have the tools you need and a colorful vocab when needed.