I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Topic: I guess the Cougar is getting parked early (Read 1343 times) previous topic - next topic

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

August 31, 2009, 04:59:25 PM

Ball joint let go 2 hrs from home. I had just checked everything two weeks ago and all seemed well. My friend and I decided to go on a little road trip since we had some extra cash for once and on the way back some thing just didnt feel right, turned a corner and got a nasty grinding sound that almost sounded like a well worn wheel bearing. Well wasnt the wheel bearing. The ball joint was wore enough that the control arm was rubbing the inside of my wheel. Well I got it off the road and looked under the car saw what it was and needless to say I wasnt happy. Anyway while I was on the phone with the towtruck driver the ball joint decided to let go the rest of the way and tore up my inner fender some.

All in all my weekend sucked but the ball joint didnt break while I was driving, and the tow bill was only $200 instead of the 3-400 like I was expecting. I was gonna wait until the car was parked for the winter to redo the front and rear suspension(better shocks, springs, CHE arms, ect..) but looks like its gonna happen earlier than I wanted.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #1 – August 31, 2009, 05:22:59 PM

It could have been worse. Usually the ball joints go with slow speed turns and such because it puts more stress on the ball joint than say driving 70 mph on the highway.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #2 – August 31, 2009, 05:33:02 PM

I was just glad it broke sitting still lol. I dont know if anybody here is familiar with route 800 in ohio or not but lets just say if you like curvy hilly roads with good straightaways you'd have fun. I had just passed a couple curves that had a rather steep embankment just on the other side right before the ball joint let go. Needless to say I got lucky.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #3 – August 31, 2009, 05:36:36 PM

First mod on any old fox should be the front end, Gives you the motivation to do it right now.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #4 – August 31, 2009, 05:43:52 PM

I had just got done putting an electric fan and underdrive pulleys on it two weeks ago too. Yeah I was planning on redoing the entire suspension that way I knew exactly what kind of condition everything was in. I've been thinking about a quicker rack too but I'm not sure yet.

And yes thats a license plate under the front wheel, it was the only way we could get it of the flatbed without killing the fender.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #5 – August 31, 2009, 06:00:03 PM

I feel your pain. I had the same thing happen to a Lincoln Mark VIII that I had. I just sold my beater car for a good price, and I was happy. I backed the lincoln out to let the new owner back the beater out. He drove away, and when I pulled the lincoln back in, crunch! the ball joint seperated. Worst part, it did it right behind my cougar in a 1 car garage, trapping it inside. So my beater was gone, and my other car was pinned in the garage.... Here's what it looked like:

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #6 – August 31, 2009, 06:05:37 PM

Do you guys ever grease anything?

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #7 – August 31, 2009, 06:08:51 PM

Yes I grease everything I can and thats just a habit I got from taking my truck 4wheeling all the time. But for some reason theres no grease fittings on these ball joints, hence why I was wanting to redo everything.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #8 – August 31, 2009, 06:12:58 PM

That wasn't meant just for you. Good luck with it.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #9 – August 31, 2009, 06:18:52 PM

I didnt take it that way was just simply stating that, no harm done. I still gotta get the 'Bird out of the garage so I can put the Cougar in, then I have to put a new timing belt on the Ranger so I have a way to get to work. I hate it when everything goes at once. Oh well, off to the garage.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #10 – August 31, 2009, 07:18:17 PM

Fellas be sure to replace with Moog ball joints. They often make "problem solver" replacement parts. They all are metal with grease fittings.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #11 – August 31, 2009, 09:22:58 PM

Quote

Do you guys ever grease anything?

Some cars might still have the factory "sealed for life" ball joints and tie rods. By now, most everyone should have had them replaced with new parts that have grease fittings. But my '84 still has the factory ones and hopefully I can keep it that way a little longer. They're okay until they get old and let go. Same thing happened to me once, with the ball joint. It's a screeching sound that you never quite forget.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #12 – August 31, 2009, 09:54:48 PM

I have greaseable tie rod ends but SN95 non greaseable ball joints :hick:

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #13 – September 01, 2009, 01:48:02 AM

Seeing those pics and hearing all the stories makes me bound and determined to put new ball joints, tie rod ends, and bearings/seals in.

Be just my luck to finally get my 5.0HO powered-Bird out for the maiden flight, and crunch! There went a ball joint-hello ditch.
Think I'll play it safe.

I guess the Cougar is getting parked early

Reply #14 – September 01, 2009, 11:01:36 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;289179

Some cars might still have the factory "sealed for life" ball joints and tie rods. By now, most everyone should have had them replaced with new parts that have grease fittings. But my '84 still has the factory ones and hopefully I can keep it that way a little longer. They're okay until they get old and let go. Same thing happened to me once, with the ball joint. It's a screeching sound that you never quite forget.

Yup factory sealed for life on mine. Got a pair of Moogs greasable now!