Ball Joints

gray ghost86 · 06-05-2002, 03:09 PM

My ball joints are worn out on my old GT. My repair manual says that the control arms have to be replaced, but AutoZone sells the ball joints separately. It'll cost me 275-300 dollars to have it done and the ball joints from autozone are 35 apiece. I'm trying to decide if I can do it myself and save the money or just have it done. Thanks in advance for any info.

blue00gt · 06-05-2002, 03:41 PM

For that much money you could just buy some new Ford Motorsport HD control arms and not mess with swapping balljoints. You probably also need new control arm bushings anyway. Swapping control arms is definitely something you could do yourself. I know the older Foxes had slightly shorter control arms, but not sure what year they started putting the longer ones on. If yours has the shorter arms, you will see a slight improvement in handling with new arms.

andy669 · 06-05-2002, 04:54 PM

I am rebuilding my control arms right now and I will have a whole lot less invested than what the Motorsports cost. If you get the Ball joints from Auto Zone, they will lend you the tool (with a deposit) for removal and installation. If youre experienced and have the rest of the tools required, it shouldnt take you more than a couple hours.

Good Luck

Andy

blue00gt · 06-05-2002, 06:51 PM

Obviously if you do the work yourself, rebuilding the controls arms is cheaper than buying new ones. The cost Gray Ghost posted was mostly labor for changing out the balljoints, which is why I suggested just getting new arms and putting them on himself if he is going to pay so much on labor to get the balljoints swapped.

gray ghost86 · 06-06-2002, 11:08 AM

I rented the ball joint press from autozone and swapped them myself. It was a lot easier than i thought actually. Thanks for the help guys.

06-05-2002, 03:09 PM	#1
gray ghost86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Posts: 16	Ball Joints My ball joints are worn out on my old GT. My repair manual says that the control arms have to be replaced, but AutoZone sells the ball joints separately. It'll cost me 275-300 dollars to have it done and the ball joints from autozone are 35 apiece. I'm trying to decide if I can do it myself and save the money or just have it done. Thanks in advance for any info.

06-05-2002, 03:41 PM	#2
blue00gt Mustang Addict Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,294	For that much money you could just buy some new Ford Motorsport HD control arms and not mess with swapping balljoints. You probably also need new control arm bushings anyway. Swapping control arms is definitely something you could do yourself. I know the older Foxes had slightly shorter control arms, but not sure what year they started putting the longer ones on. If yours has the shorter arms, you will see a slight improvement in handling with new arms. __________________ Strike down the unroadworthy! 2000 GT Atl. Blue: '03 Cobra motor - 465rwhp/473rwtq, T-56 6-speed, full MM TA/PH & tubular K-member suspension, Saleen body, 17" Torq-Thrust II's, M/T ET Street radials, and lots more '94 Rio Red Cobra: All the bolt-ons, 3.73s

06-05-2002, 04:54 PM	#3
andy669 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Moline Il Posts: 901	I am rebuilding my control arms right now and I will have a whole lot less invested than what the Motorsports cost. If you get the Ball joints from Auto Zone, they will lend you the tool (with a deposit) for removal and installation. If youre experienced and have the rest of the tools required, it shouldnt take you more than a couple hours. Good Luck Andy __________________ 88 coupe 91 LX NMRA Pure Street 5120

06-05-2002, 06:51 PM	#4
blue00gt Mustang Addict Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,294	Obviously if you do the work yourself, rebuilding the controls arms is cheaper than buying new ones. The cost Gray Ghost posted was mostly labor for changing out the balljoints, which is why I suggested just getting new arms and putting them on himself if he is going to pay so much on labor to get the balljoints swapped. __________________ Strike down the unroadworthy! 2000 GT Atl. Blue: '03 Cobra motor - 465rwhp/473rwtq, T-56 6-speed, full MM TA/PH & tubular K-member suspension, Saleen body, 17" Torq-Thrust II's, M/T ET Street radials, and lots more '94 Rio Red Cobra: All the bolt-ons, 3.73s

06-06-2002, 11:08 AM	#5
gray ghost86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Posts: 16	thanks I rented the ball joint press from autozone and swapped them myself. It was a lot easier than i thought actually. Thanks for the help guys.

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