Change upper and lower control arms?

[mfmagicmike]

Hi everybody!

I think my upper and lower ball joints need to be replaced. The problem is: I have a 1989 Ford Crown Vic and every repair manual I checked says: "ball joints cannot be serviced, control arms need to be replaced". But I just canīt find any replacement control arms. Are these parts still built? If not, is it save to unbolt the original ball joints, and to replace them with screwed ones?
Thanks for Your help!

[mrltd]

ball joints are pressed in.... not screwed. at least the lowers are... I can't remmeber the uppers.

[85crownHPP]

uppers be riveted.

[mfmagicmike]

The upper (front) ball joints are bolted in, the lower ones I donīt know, but if they arenīt, they would be even more difficult to change without replacing the lower control arm.

[mrltd]

The upper (front) ball joints are bolted in, the lower ones I donīt know, but if they arenīt, they would be even more difficult to change without replacing the lower control arm.

Actually they are easy. Press out, press in. Much quicker than getting the rivets out of the uppers.

[Lincolnmania]

the lower ball joints press in
the upper ball joints are held from the factory with four rivets....you need to grind or chisel the rivets out and bolt the new upper ball joint in.......i'd suggest while you are replacing the ball joints, replace the bushings also.....especially the upper arm bushings.......the energy suspension non police set for the 92-97 vics works on the boxes also........also a good time to think about a big brake swap since your car needs four ball joints

[gadget73]

The manuals do say tht the upper is replaced as an assembly with the arm, but it doesn't seem that anyonre sells the arm. Aftermarket replacement upper ball joints are sold with bolts to hold them in. originally it has rivets that you'll need to grind off or use the air chisel on. Its a pain in the ass doing it the first time. Wear earplugs if you're using an air chisel.

[mfmagicmike]

the lower ball joints press in
the upper ball joints are held from the factory with four rivets....you need to grind or chisel the rivets out and bolt the new upper ball joint in.......i'd suggest while you are replacing the ball joints, replace the bushings also.....especially the upper arm bushings.......the energy suspension non police set for the 92-97 vics works on the boxes also........also a good time to think about a big brake swap since your car needs four ball joints

And by brake swap You think of new:
brake pads, or
brake pads + rotors, or
brake pads + rotors + calipers, or
brake pads + rotors + calipers + hydraulic hoses ?

[mfmagicmike]

The manuals do say tht the upper is replaced as an assembly with the arm, but it doesn't seem that anyonre sells the arm. Aftermarket replacement upper ball joints are sold with bolts to hold them in. originally it has rivets that you'll need to grind off or use the air chisel on. Its a pain in the ass doing it the first time. Wear earplugs if you're using an air chisel.

So it can be done that way without risking the bolts to brake down on the Autobahn?

Just one question: why is it a pain in the A.. only the first time, I would think it to be a pain in the .ss every time (yet it has to be done)?

[mfmagicmike]

the lower ball joints press in
the upper ball joints are held from the factory with four rivets....you need to grind or chisel the rivets out and bolt the new upper ball joint in.......i'd suggest while you are replacing the ball joints, replace the bushings also.....especially the upper arm bushings.......the energy suspension non police set for the 92-97 vics works on the boxes also........also a good time to think about a big brake swap since your car needs four ball joints

OHHHH YES, these are soooo good to go too (to bushing heaven).

[mfmagicmike]

To replace both ball joints, do I need to compress or take out the coil spring?

[P72Ford]

To replace both ball joints, do I need to compress or take out the coil spring?

Yes. If you don't, the spring will expand (rapidly) causing damage to you or the vehicle. Different people prefer different methods for unloading the suspension; some are safer than others. Now would be a good time to upgrade your springs too, btw.

The reason its more of a PITA the first time is because you have to deal with the rivets. If it isn;t the first time, all you have to do is loosen the bolts, and remove the ball joint.

[Lincolnmania]

you do not need a spring compressor to remove a front spring.......jack under the arm and slowly release pressure on the jack
there are some big brake swap stickies.......will leave you with this quickly
98-02 panther: spindles, hub bearings, lower ball joints, calipers, caliper brackets and brake hoses
92-94 upper control arms and ball joints
goot luck!

[mfmagicmike]

So the ball-joint job will end up being a huge front suspension overhaul.

What else!

I have a lot of respect for the coil springs, I donīt want to get hurt by one of these guys. But off course it is logical to take them out before touching the ball-joints.

[Lincolnmania]

if you are not replacing the bushings and just the ball joints you do not need to disturb the coil springs
rule #1 put a jack securely under the lower control arm.....this will keep the arm loaded and then you can remove the spindle to change the ball joints
replacing the springs requires an internal spring compressor unless you use the speedway motors springs like i used on gmgt's vic and mrltd's wagon