2002 Ford Explorer Logo
Posted on Jun 25, 2009
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How do I replace the upper ball joints in my 2002 Ford Explorer?

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Anonymous

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  • Posted on Dec 30, 2009
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The upper ball joints are replaceable without replacing the control arms. Use Moog K80008 ball joints and a ball joint press.

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  • Posted on Jun 25, 2009
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The ball joints are a part of the upper control arm. So you have to replace the upper control arms.

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Matthew Boulden

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  • Posted on Jun 25, 2009
Matthew Boulden
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On 2006-07 models, the upper ball joint is not replaceable. If defective, replace the arm.

2-Wheel Drive

1. Before servicing the vehicle, please familiarize yourself with safety procedures.
2. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
NOTE
The wheel speed sensor connectors are located in the engine compartment and are secured to the fender aprons.
3. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.
4. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
5. Detach the harness from the retainers.
WARNING
Do not allow the disc brake caliper to hang suspended from the brake hose. Provide suitable support. 6. Remove the bolts and position the brake caliper and support bracket aside.
7. Remove the brake disc.
8. Remove and discard the cotter pin and the outer tie rod end castellated nut.
WARNING
Do not use a hammer to separate the tie-rod from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle will result WARNING
Do not damage the tie rod boot when installing the tool
Fig. Separating the tie rod end from the knuckle
9. Separate the tie rod from the wheel knuckle.
10. Remove and discard the upper ball joint nut.
WARNING
Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle will result.
WARNING
Do not damage the ball joint boot when installing the special tool. 11. Separate the upper ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
12. Remove and discard the snap ring from the ball joint.
13. Using a suitable ball joint remover tool, remove the ball joint.
WARNING
Do not damage the ball joint boot when installing the special tool.

To install:
1. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.
NOTE
Clean and inspect the control arm ball joint bore for damage before installing a new ball joint.
NOTE
Make sure the new ball joint snap ring is fully seated.
2. Always install new:
Snap rings.
Castellated nuts.
Cotter pins.
Upper ball joint nuts.
3. Observe the following torques:
Outer tie rod end castellated nut: 52 ft. lbs. (70 Nm).
Upper ball joint nut: 41 ft lbs. (55 Nm).

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the -Precautions- section.
2. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
NOTE
The wheel speed sensor connectors are located in the engine compartment and are secured to the fender aprons.
3. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.
4. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
5. Detach the harness from the retainers.
WARNING
Do not allow the disc brake caliper to hang suspended from the brake hose. Provide suitable support.
6. Remove the bolts and position the brake caliper and support bracket aside.
7. Remove the brake disc.
8. Remove and discard the cotter pin and the outer tie rod end castellated nut.
WARNING
Do not use a hammer to separate the tie rod from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle will result.
WARNING
Do not damage the tie rod boot when installing the tool.
9. Separate the tie rod from the wheel knuckle.
10. Remove and discard the upper ball joint nut.
WARNING
Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle will result.
WARNING
Do not damage the ball joint boot when installing the special tool
11. Separate the upper ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
12. Remove and discard the snap ring from the ball joint.
13. Using a suitable ball joint remover tool, remove the ball joint.
WARNING
Do not damage the ball joint boot when installing the special tool.




  • 1 more comment 
  • Matthew Boulden Jun 25, 2009

    4-Wheel Drive



    1. Before servicing the vehicle, please familiarize yourself with safety procedures.

    2. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.

    3. Remove and discard the axle retainer nut.

    NOTE

    The wheel speed sensor connectors are located in the engine compartment and are secured to the fender aprons.

    4. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.

    5. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

    6. Detach the harness from the retainers.

    WARNING

    Do not allow the disc brake caliper to hang suspended from the brake hose. Provide a suitable support.

    7. Remove the bolts and position the brake caliper and support bracket aside.

    8. Remove the brake disc.

    WARNING

    Do not use a hammer to separate the outboard CV-joint from the
    hub. Damage to the threads and internal CV-joint components can result.

    9. Press the outboard CV-joint until it is loose in the hub.

    10. Remove and discard the cotter pin and the castellated nut.

    WARNING

    Do not use a hammer to separate the tie-rod from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle will result.

    WARNING

    Do not damage the tie-rod boot when installing the special tool.

    11. Separate the tie-rod from the wheel knuckle.

    12. Remove and discard the upper ball joint nut.

    WARNING

    Secure the front axle shaft to prevent the CV-joint and boots
    from overextending. Failure to do so can cause damage to the CV-joint
    and boots.

    WARNING

    Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle will result.

    WARNING

    Do not damage the ball joint when installing the special tool.

    13. Separate the upper ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

    14. Remove the hand-tightened lower ball joint castellated nut and remove the wheel knuckle.

    15. Remove and discard the snap ring from the ball joint.

    16. Using a suitable ball joint remover tool, remove the ball joint.

    WARNING

    Do not damage the ball joint boot when installing the special tool.



    To install:

    1. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.

    NOTE

    Apply a thin coat of silicone sealant to the wheel hub mounting surfaces before installation.

    NOTE

    Clean and inspect the control arm ball joint bore for damage before installing a new ball joint.

    NOTE

    Make sure the new ball joint snap ring is fully seated.

    2. Always install new:

    Castellated nuts.

    Cotter pins.

    Snap rings.

    Upper ball joint nuts.

    Axle retainer nut.

    3. Observe the following torques:

    Axle retainer nut: 184 ft. lbs. (250 Nm).

    Tie rod end stud nut: 52 ft. lbs. (70 Nm).

    Upper ball joint nut: 41 ft lbs. (55 Nm).

    1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the -Precautions- section.

    2. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.

    3. Remove and discard the axle retainer nut.

    NOTE

    The wheel speed sensor connectors are located in the engine compartment and are secured to the fender apron.

    4. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.

    5. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

    6. Detach the harness from the retainers.

    WARNING

    Do not allow the disc brake caliper to hang suspended from the brake hose. Provide a suitable support.

    7. Remove the bolts and position the brake caliper and support bracket aside.

    8. Remove the brake disc.

    WARNING

    Do not use a hammer to separate the outboard CV-joint from the
    hub. Damage to the threads and internal CV-joint components can result.

    9. Press the outboard CV-joint until it is loose in the hub.

    10. Remove and discard the cotter pin and the castellated nut.

    WARNING

    Do not use a hammer to separate the tie rod from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle will result.

    WARNING

    Do not damage the tie rod boot when installing the special tool.

    11. Separate the tie rod from the wheel knuckle.

    12. Remove and discard the upper ball joint nut.

    WARNING

    Secure the front axle shaft to prevent the CV-joint and boots
    from overextending. Failure to do so can cause damage to the CV-joint
    and boots.

    WARNING

    Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle will result.

    WARNING

    Do not damage the ball joint when installing the special tool.

    13. Separate the upper ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

    14. Remove the hand-tightened lower ball joint castellated nut and remove the wheel knuckle.

    15. Remove and discard the snap ring from the ball joint.

    16. Using a suitable ball joint remover tool, remove the ball joint.

    WARNING

    Do not damage the ball joint boot when installing the special tool.









  • Matthew Boulden Jul 01, 2009

    Hello, I am just wandering why you said my explanation was not helpful when it was step by step instructions on how to change your ball joints? I do not understand?

  • Tim Shaner Dec 20, 2014

    The question was on a 2002 model year. You explained for a 2006 - different.

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Anonymous

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  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jun 08, 2013
Anonymous
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How to replace ball joints top and bottom AU Series 3 Ford Ute 2002 Is this a difficult job and what would it cost

4 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 5 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 20, 2008

SOURCE: front upper ball joint replacement

The dealer's answer (if you are interested).......

The ball joint is pressed into the upper control arm and has a tapered stud for attachment to the steering knuckle. The ball joint stud is attached and locked into the steering knuckle using a special nut. The ball joint is a sealed-for-life type and requires no maintenance. If the ball joint is defective it will require replacement of the entire upper control arm.

Sorry.

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Mike Butler

  • 6674 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 21, 2008

SOURCE: upper & lower Ford Ranger ball joints replacement

Approx.$250 in parts & rest is labor. Probably 3 to 4 hrs labor at most, even at 5 hrs labor, that's $100/hr labor. It must include alignment after the repairs, correct? Not sure what your going rate for labor is in your area. Probably wouldn't hurt to call around for a second opinion& estimate just to be sure.

Anonymous

  • 71 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 24, 2009

SOURCE: how to replace lower and upper ball joints Ford

The upper ball joints are part of the upper control arms. The upper control arms have to be replaced.

Anonymous

  • 31 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 20, 2009

SOURCE: how do i remove an upper ball joint from a 2004

The ball joint on your vehicle is not replacable by itself. The control arm which holds the ball joint must be replaced. The nuts holding the arms on will have a small metal tab. That tab holds the arm in allignment. Note the location of the tab before removing. These must go back in the same way they came out. Also check the new arms for correct sides. There will be a "R" and "L" on them. They can be confused and will fit. Good luck then get an alignment to check.

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