How to Install an Upper Ball Joint in a '88 Country Squire

When it comes time to replace the upper ball joint in your Ford Country Squire station wagon, the Ford Motor Company recommends that you replace the entire control arm. There are, however, aftermarket parts available so that you can change only the ball joint if you choose. In any case, it will take an average person about 2-1/2 hours to complete the project. You can save a lot of money on labor charges when you make the repair yourself.

Instructions

1

Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Country Squire. Raise the front of the automobile on the side that you need to work on using the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the car near the jacking point and raise it to the frame of the vehicle. Lower the jack so that the Ford is resting on the jack stand.

2

Remove the jack from under the Country Squire and move it to the other side. Raise the car with the automobile jack. Place another jack stand under the vehicle near the jacking point and raise it to the frame of the vehicle. Lower the jack so that the Ford is now resting on both jack stands.

3

Remove the wheel on the side of the car that you are working on using the lug wrench. Drill a 1/8-inch hole through each rivet securing the ball joint to the control arm. Drive the head off each rivet using the cold chisel and hammer. Drive the rivets from the ball joints with the hammer.

4

Place a second automobile jack under the lower control arm and raise the control arm to compress the coil spring. Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint using a pair of pliers. Remove the nut from the ball joint using a socket and ratchet. Separate the ball joint from the control arm using the ball joint tool.

5

Clean any metal burrs away from the control arm using a small round file. Insert the new ball joint to the control arm. Tighten the ball joint nut using a socket and ratchet. Insert the ball joint into the upper spindle. Torque the nut to 60 to 90 foot-pounds using the torque wrench. Tighten it enough beyond that to line up the hole for the cotter pin.

6

Spread the cotter pin open using a pair of pliers. Remove the automobile jack from under the lower control arm. Install the wheel on the Ford and tighten the lug nuts using the lug wrench. Raise the car high enough with the automobile jack and remove the jack stand from under it on the side you are working on. Lower that side of the car to the ground.

7

Raise the other side of the Country Squire using the automobile jack. Remove the jack stand from under that side of the car and lower the vehicle to the ground.