fatedstranger

I recently replaced both IWE actuators in my truck and when I had the UCA's detached from the steering knuckle I noticed that the ball joints were very easy to move inside the cup. When I put everything back together I could not notice any play in the upper or lower ball joints. I have ordered new UCA's as well as lower ball joints from RockAuto and they will hopefully arrive in time to install them this weekend.

I hope to borrow a ball joint press locally as part of a loan-a-tool program, but I noticed that there is a OEM Ford Ball Joint Adaptor Set listed as well. Does anyone know if a special adapter set is needed for our trucks or is the standard ball joint press (which includes one removing and one installing adapter as well as three receiver tubes) sufficient?

Here is a link to the ball joint press:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/oe...-1250043p.html

And here is the adapter set:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/oe...-1250015p.html

Is the truck safe to drive in the meantime? I believe local regulations just check for excessive play without aid of a pry bar or similar tool and I could not see or feel any play in the joints. I checked both horizontal and vertical movement with the wheel/tire both removed and installed, but the tension from the struts and the weight of the components made it pretty difficult to see any play. I know it's impossible to say for certain but just looking for opinions based on the information I have provided.

Cheers!

fatedstranger

My parts came in, Moog premium, looks like quality stuff. I'm going to tackle this over the weekend, anyone know if I need that adapter set?

04 Lucho

I wasn't able to see the link you posted but, when I changed my ball joints I rented the tool from autozone which came with three adapters to press it out.

jkenprice1

x2

gdfishwell

I used the Autozone tool when I did mine, too. They had the upper control arm and lower ball joints in stock.

Toshbar

Take your new lower ball joints to the rental place so you can size them up against what comes with the press and any additional adapters. I did mine with the big assortment that comes with the advance auto rental press.

Thought I was going to shatter the press C frame using my 4' 1/2" drive breaker bar. I even heated the control arm up around the ball joint.

fatedstranger

Thats a great idea, thanks for the suggestion.

The press and adapter kit are made by OEM, I think the adapter kit is needed for cars but haven't found anything definitive. I'm pretty sure all I need is the press but I will bring the ball joint and size them up at the store.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Rick's 06

The "C" press I borrowed from Advanced Auto was very beefy and it had no problem pressing out my lower ball joints. I just pulled the trigger on new Moog UCA's and Monroe quick struts from Rock Auto. Probably put those in next weekend. I'm hoping that will improve my ride. My truck doesn't feel like a new truck anymore. I hope that helps.

vintageman

I watched a shop use a 2 1/2lbs sledge to take the lower ones out once, next time I did ball joints on my old expedition, I used the same to take the lower ones out and it only took about a minute after the retaining ring was removed to get it out, then I used my impact gun with the C clamp tool from autozone and the new one went right in. Good luck, let us know how it goes.
Tom

jb2012

I'm not sure if that specific adapter is what you need but you do need something else that is wider in diameter than the balljoint but shorter in length than the cups provided in the kit. I did everything on the front end this week, and it was a royal pita. Use lots of PB Blaster and have more patience than me lol.