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Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

So my 1988 Thunderbird Sport broke a ball joint  the other night doing 40mph , the car come to a grinding stop had to have it towed home. Took it apart and the ball joint was broke in half and the lower control arm is chewed up. My Question is will 94-98 mustang lower control arms work and can I just replace one side. thanks

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Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #1 –
I've got '99 Stang control arms under the front of mine. I think the ones you have will work fine, and yes, one will work fine. I can't remember if you need to install the Thunderbird style ball joint or if the ones in those control arms will work. Glad to see the car is o.k. and repairs are actually minimal.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #2 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;436738
I've got '99 Stang control arms under the front of mine. I think the ones you have will work fine, and yes, one will work fine. I can't remember if you need to install the Thunderbird style ball joint or if the ones in those control arms will work. Glad to see the car is o.k. and repairs are actually minimal.


I havnt bought any control arms yet, hoping I can get one that the ball joint will work with my car maybe someone will know if the mustang ball joint will work?

Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #3 –
The 94+ arms will work, but if you have Fox spindles on there, you will need Fox ball joints.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chuck W;436752
The 94+ arms will work, but if you have Fox spindles on there, you will need Fox ball joints.


The car is completely stock,  could it have fox spindles being stock? So if it is stock and not fox the control arms and ball joint 94+ mustang will work?

Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #5 –
If it's stock it has the Fox spindles. These are fox chassis cars. 94-04 Mustangs are SN95 chassis - very closely related to the Fox, but slightly different. You'd need an Fox ball joint in an SN95 LCA. Unless you're upgrading the front suspension or the Fox control arm is unavailable I wouldn't bother with the Mustang one...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #6 –
So my problem is there are no junkyard around with any thunderbird/cougar parts. So when calling them what other control arms should I be asking for? iam looking for a direct bolt in part, on a tight budget.

Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #7 –
87-88 Tbird/Cougar control arms are a bolt in, in regards to length and ball joint type. 83-86 TBird control arms are NOT the same.

94-04 Mustang arms are the same length as the 87-88 arms, but have the SN-95 ball joint.

Other option: Buy a new ball joint, rent a ball-joint press tool, install in current arm on the car.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #8 –
OR change them out. I have i think some TC A arms in my trailer. This is why a car should be inspected at 6 month intervils. Or at least once a year. The joints most likely were in need of replacing quite some time ago. better check the other side for wear. have a great day guys
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #9 –
What are the symptoms of failing BJ?  Im getting a click/pop from passenger side front when touching the brakes, I cant duplcate it rocking the car up and down???
Mike
 

Broken Ball Joint at 40 mph

Reply #10 –
I know when I've had fox body ball joint issues, the car squeaks like a honeymoon mattress going down the road.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7