Need ball joints, anyone know if these are press in or do i need control arm

[91stranger]

So I've read a lot about some of the 98+ rangers with coil front suspensions either have upper ball joints that press into the control arm or they are a complete set (control arm and ball joint already installed). Is there a way to tell the difference? Looking at the ball joint it looks like it could be pressed out but I can't tell 100% because they are really old and corroded pretty bad. I can't find anything online about how to tell. I'd hate to get the control arm if I don't need it.

 

[Dirtman]

I've never seen a replaceable ball joint on the upper control arms of a coil spring 98+ truck except for on some of the aftermarket arms. Honestly the control arm assembly is so cheap it's almost pointless to replace just the ball joint even if it could be pressed out. I do know there is a 1 piece and 2 piece design, but I've only seen the 2 piece arms on torsion bar trucks.

 

[adsm08]

To my knowledge non of the OEM arms were intended to have removable ball joints. I also know a guy that replaces just the ball joint anyway.

Moog and a few others do make arms with removable ball joint, which usually pays for itself the next time you need ball joints.

 

[91stranger]

Everything I read says the 4wd for 98+ are one piece but the 2wd had removeable ball joints. I'd rather change the whole control arm since i'm already doing the work. I am ordering online b/c it is WAY cheaper but I don't want to order the wrong ones... Get my dilemma.

 

[adsm08]

Everything I read says the 4wd for 98+ are one piece but the 2wd had removeable ball joints. I'd rather change the whole control arm since i'm already doing the work. I am ordering online b/c it is WAY cheaper but I don't want to order the wrong ones... Get my dilemma.

I prefer to replace the whole arm as well, but my reasoning is that ball joints, particularly uppers, are pretty robust and don't fail every few years, so by the time the joint needs replaced the arm bushings are usually in bad shape as well.

 

[cbxer55]

I did the front end of my 98 two wheel drive last July. Chose to go the route of new upper and lower arms, rather than replace just the joints themselves. Got them at NAPA for a reasonable price. I also did the inner and outer tie-rod ends.

 

[cbxer55]

I should've taken some pics of the old ones. LMAO! Man, they were ugly. The ball joints had been bad for a couple years, and I just kept driving it. They were loose and rattling around in the holes. Surprised the front end didn't fall apart. Was hell on the tires, but since I have staggered tires, I run el cheapo tires up front anyways.

 

[Fordblue213]

My 2000 2WD had replaceable uppers. I changed them when I did the lowers. Then a few months later, I did the control arm bushings...... So now I have rebuilt OEM control arms with way more hassle than just replacing the whole thing.