Ball Joint Question August 21, 2007, 06:17:34 AM I am ordering all the bushings etc to rebuild my 87 front and rear suspension. My Haynes manual states that the ball joints are not serviceable and the entire lower control arm should be replaced...I have MOOG stock numbers for the ball joints... what gives? Can the ball joints be done DIY or is this a shop/press job? Any other pit falls I need to watch out for? Thanks. Quote Selected
Ball Joint Question Reply #1 – August 21, 2007, 07:15:03 AM you can rent a ball joint press (c-clamp type) at advanced for about a $100. the good thing is its only a deposit. you get the full $100 when you bring the tool back. thats what we do at the shop. other than that yes its a pain in the @$$ but its not hard to do at all. you can do the bushings with a vice and air chisel w/hammer attachment. it takes finess but you can do it without damaging anything. too bad your so far away or i'd give you a hand. but yes you can do it in your driveway. good luck.also you could probaly use the balljoint press to do the bushings. i've never tried it but thinking about it, it seems feasible. Quote Selected
Ball Joint Question Reply #2 – August 21, 2007, 03:06:24 PM There replacable,don't forget about the spring,you need a way to control that to. Quote Selected
Ball Joint Question Reply #3 – August 21, 2007, 03:48:42 PM You can do it. I've done it. I used the C-clamp style ball/U-joint press thing. Put it in place and put the impact on it and out and in they go. As for the spring I used on of those inside the coil type spring compressors. Also don't forget to inspect your springs closely. A lot of times they are broken and you can't tell until you pull they out. A lot of times the rubber isolator things get stuck in the lower A-arm because of the rust in there. Quote Selected
Ball Joint Question Reply #4 – August 21, 2007, 03:54:37 PM Quote from: ipsd;170941You can do it. I've done it. I used the C-clamp style ball/U-joint press thing. Put it in place and put the impact on it and out and in they go. As for the spring I used on of those inside the coil type spring compressors. Also don't forget to inspect your springs closely. A lot of times they are broken and you can't tell until you pull they out. A lot of times the rubber isolator things get stuck in the lower A-arm because of the rust in there. You might want to consider changing the springs now.You will never have a better chance to do it.also you will need to align it. Quote Selected
A Couple More Questions... Reply #5 – August 25, 2007, 09:44:31 AM Thanks for all the info... I am an Asst Manager at advance so getting the tool for the ball joints is easy. - Any recommendations for the springs? I hate the soft, floating feeling and the excessive body roll when cornering. I am buying all energy suspension & moog parts but I have never bought replacement springs.- Looking at KYB shocks and struts... Anyone running these? My 88 Sport (not running) has the rear axle dampers. How much difference do these make? Thinking of adding them onto the 87 when I do the rear.- I found a set of 90-93 Stang 16" 5 spoke rims for $100.00. Are these to big for the front end? I dont want to rub tires on anything... If I stay with the 14" rims I have now I plan to run BFG Radial T/A 245/60's in the rear and 225/60's in the front. Not sure if I can do this with 16" rims. Quote Selected
Ball Joint Question Reply #6 – August 29, 2007, 10:52:28 PM well, if you want the advice of a Ford tech, id just replace the whole arm. those ball joints are serviceable, but the bushings on the control arms are most likely reallly worn out, so it would be a good idea to have it all replaced. better ride, less squeaks, and better handling. as for springs, you can put in some Stang springs t help make it handle better, but youll loose some ride quality. if you got some new stock sport/handling package T Bird springs they should handle better and still give a good ride. Quote Selected
Ball Joint Question Reply #7 – August 30, 2007, 04:58:42 PM I replaced my whole control arm about 3 years ago with new ones for the mustangs they fitted perfectly the number if the whole control arm is M-3075-D Control Arms Quote Selected
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