Play in Upper Ball Joint

[drthrift035]

FORD E-250 2006 5.4 L GASOLINE

CHECKED BOTH WHEELS FOR PLAY IN THE TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT.

DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT – PLAY NOTICED

TOOK EVERYTHING APART TO GET TO THE UPPER/ LOWER BALL JOINTS.

UNABLE TO REMOVE THE LOWER BALL JOINT + UNABLE TO PROPERLY TAKE OUT COTTER PIN

BOLTED EVERYTHING UP. THE PLAY HAS DISAPPEARED ..

What will happen if I don’t have the cotter pin in for the lower ball joint ?

How do I remove the lower ball joint knuckle assemble ?

Please let me know as soon as possible thanks.

Topic

[619DioFan]

Without the cotter pin the castle nut will eventualy loosen and possibly fall off ( very bad ) the ball joint is pressed into the steering knuckle on your van if I remember correctly. with the wheel and brake assembly removed as well as the tierod end ( disconnected from the knuckle ) loosen the castle nut then hit the control arm were the ball joint stud goes through to loosen it . remove the nut and you should be able to pry the lower control arm down with a breaker bar. should be a snap ring to remove , you will need a ball joint press tool to press the ball joint out of the knuckle ( usually available from most parts stores as a loaner tool )you should be able to do this without removing the entire knuckle. hope this info helps.

[blacK20]

Which cotter pin is it that you can’t get out? The lower balljoint is tapered into the I-beam. Once you get the cotter pin out and the nut off(leave a few threads on so the knuckle doesn’t drop on your toes), take your bfh and wack the I-beam where the joint goes through to free it. The upper joint is held in with a pinch bolt. Undo the bolt and pop out the alignment sleeve by prying it side to side.

[drthrift035]

Thanks blacK20. Your advice worked. I am going to take it to a shop and have the new ball joints pressed in .

[EricTheCarGuy]

Cool, looks like this one has a happy ending. That said keep us posted on your progress.

[Author]

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