Control arms and ball joints

[reefgeorge]

All control arms, ball joints and shocks have 189,000 miles on them. The vehicle needs lower ball joints for sure as they are obviously loose and the wear shoulders are even with the control arm. The upper ball joints seem good. I have upper and lower Moog replacements and the pressing tools on hand.

A) Does it make any sense to do just the lowers?

B) I know that the lower control arm should be supported and unloaded to do the work. How much tension is this spring under once the steering knuckle is free of the lower ball joint shaft?

C) If the lower control arm is allowed to fall away to say check the control arm bushings, how hard is it to put back into position? Do you need a spring compressor?

D) Does it make sense to drill out the uppers and press out the lowers or does it ever make sense to replace the control arms and ball joints as an assembly?

Thanks,

George

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by reefgeorge

All control arms, ball joints and shocks have 189,000 miles on them. The vehicle needs lower ball joints for sure as they are obviously loose and the wear shoulders are even with the control arm. The upper ball joints seem good. I have upper and lower Moog replacements and the pressing tools on hand.

A) Does it make any sense to do just the lowers?

B) I know that the lower control arm should be supported and unloaded to do the work. How much tension is this spring under once the steering knuckle is free of the lower ball joint shaft?

C) If the lower control arm is allowed to fall away to say check the control arm bushings, how hard is it to put back into position? Do you need a spring compressor?

D) Does it make sense to drill out the uppers and press out the lowers or does it ever make sense to replace the control arms and ball joints as an assembly?

Thanks,

George

Best to have a spring compresser.
With that many miles I would replace upper joints at same time .
Also check upper and lower control arm bushings.