Removal and replacement of a lower ball joint for a 1997 taurus. using a new ball joint

You'll need the repair manual for this. There are upper and
lower ball joints front and rear. You also have to deal with
a number of suspension components to access the ball
joints. Lower ball joints can be replaced by pressing old
out and new in using a large socket to match circumference
of the ball joint.

If you don't have a 'Ball joint splitter'.
You won't get very far.
But, if you do. It's not too taxing a job.
Firstly you need to locate the two fixings, attatched to the subframe, under the engine.
'Crack' them off. You may need a good amount of leverage, so make sure you're in a comfortable position. (& not likely too pull your back etc!:)
But do not remove them yet,..
Then you need to locate the fixing of the ball joint on the 'hub' end, 'Loosen it a couple of turns, and whack it with a hammer. Loosen again, and repeat the process, until it's possible to remove the nut, on the joint, (& this is where the splitter is required, potentially.)
and proceed to loosen the ball joint, from the hub fixing.
Sometimes, the ball joints are ceased on,
making removal very difficult unless you have oxy-cetaline, to 'super heat' the 'hub' fixing, rather than the ball joint.
(Remember, you want to expand the correct piece of metal!)
Then, it will fall out into your hands.
And there you go.
Just make sure you take all the neccesary precautions and wear gloves, safety glasses etc.
Or if all this, sounds too risky, just remember.
It is!
Good luck with that:)

The easiest way is too remove the whole knuckle and remove the joint on a bench. The Ball Joint is in the knuckle, not in the lower control arm. Try to not break pinch bolt on lower strut clamp. Hope this helps.. :-) Cobra

You will need to remove the rotor and brake caliper and bracket. Then remove the axle nut and use a jaw puller or air chisel to push the axle shaft out the back of the hub bearing as you tilt the knuckle away from the car after you have seperated the strut from the knuckle. Then disconnect the lower ball joint and use a press to install and replace the joint.

replace the entire CV axles. Support vehicle with jackstands by frame. Remove front wheels. Remove axle nuts. Remove lower balljoint nut. Separate balljoint from nuckle by banging hard with ball peen hammer on knuckle on spindle assy. Remove outer tie-rod nut. Separate tie-rod from steering nuckle by bangin on nuckle with ball-peen hammer. Use long pry bar to hold lower control arm down while simultaneously pulling hub/spindle assembly away from vehicle and pushing axle through hub toward transaxle. Go under vehicle and pry inner cv joint away from transaxle while holding axle assembly.
Install new CV axle in reverse of the disassembly.

jack up truck support truck remove brake caliper and support the caliper dont let it hang by the hose remove cotter pin from bottom of ball joint remove castle nut from ball joint use ball joint press to push ball joint up and out then use press to push in new ball joint make sure you grease them when you are finished both uper and lower press up and out.

You remove lower control arm of the chassis where they are located . Do not remove upper mounting strut bolts, remove only two bolts that hold strut to sterrink knuckle.

Jack the truck clear of the ground and let the wheel assembly hang. After you remove the tire place your jack under the lower control arm so it's firm. Remove the cotter pin, if you have one and loosen the big nut almost off. Wedge a "pickle fork" between the control arm and the spindle and give it a belt with a hammer until the ball joint pops. Raise the jack so you can undo the nut easily and separate the control arm and spindle.
The upper ball joint is riveted or bolted in. Grind the rivets or use a cold chisel and remove the ball joint. Clean up the area with some sandpaper, dirt , loose rust, etc.and put the new joint in. Put the spindle back on using the jack if necessary and put the nut back on and tighten.
The lower ball joint is pressed in. Tie the spindle out of the way and brace the lower control arm with some blocks or the jack if you have to. A few whacks with a hammer should pop the joint out. Clean the hole out lightly, just to remove loose rust and dirt. Put the ball joint, minus the grease fitting ,,in the hole and use the jack with a block of wood, to put it in place.You may have to fiddle with the spindle to make sure it is lined up. I've never had any trouble using a 1ton trolley jack and the weight of the truck to put the lower ball joint back in. Replace the nut and grease fitting.
The new ball joints will probably come with cotter pins, use them. Make sure the new joints are tight or they will wear the holes in the spindle. Don't forget to grease the new joints. Hope this helps.

Lower Ball Joint Inspection

1. Before servicing the vehicle refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Prior to carrying out any inspection of the ball joints inspect the wheel bearing.
4. Have an assistant pull inward and outward on the top and the bottom tire. Mount a suitable dial indicator and measure the movement between the ball joint and the lower arm. If the movement is at or exceeds 0.03 in. (0.75 mm) install a new ball joint.

Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Before servicing the vehicle refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Remove the knuckle from the front suspension.
3. Remove the snap ring from the ball joint.
4. Press the ball joint out of the knuckle with a suitable ball joint press and adapters.

The front lower ball joints are pressed into the steering knuckle. Once the brake components are removed, the CV shaft nut and tie rod ends can be removed. Remove the front strut bolts, and the lower ball joint nut. Separate the lower arm from the ball joint. Once the knuckle assembly is off the car remove the lower joint snap ring and dust boot. Utilizing a ball joint press (should be able to rent from local parts store) press the joint out of the knuckle. Re-installation is naturally reverse of removal. I hope this helps.