Failed ball-joints and control arm.

[James Plastina]

Hi everyone. The lower ball-joint on my 2020 Ranger is failing. Auto zone said i can only buy a control arm and it's $500 for the part. Is this for real? I can't press in a replacement ball-joint? Anyone have any advise on this? If i really have to replace the entire arm should i go aftermarket? I appreciate the help. Not sure what to do.

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[Rp930]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...bocharged,3445187,suspension,ball+joint,10070

 

[bzmotoninja83]

The thing is, AUTOZONE can only get you the complete thing. It can be changed. I had to do it on my 2019.

 

[airline tech]

The issue starts at Ford and the Parts IPC's
Ford only lists the LCA as an assembly with the Ball-Joint, but you can get the upper Ball-Joint separately

Autozone - Does not have them separately, Oreily's/ Rock-Auto - Lists Separately

You need to know your - Build / Blend Date as in 2020 they produced 2 options - (or use a magnet)
to tell what you have.

Aluminum or Steel - Control Arms - Different part numbers for the Ball-Joints

 

[LawnMM]

I'd buy them aftermarket and a kit to press em in, despite what a certain teenager that knows everything, and now resides on my ignore list, says.

Replacing the entire $500 arm instead of of a $25 ball joint is retarded.

Cheap Kit 1

Nicer Cheap Kit 2

 

[carnut122]

Buy the ball joint separately and press it in yourself, or take it to a machine shop. FWIW if OEM parts failed prematurely, I'd be inclined not to put them back in. Moog is usually a good choice.

 

[diesel924]

Any mods to the suspension? How many miles? Was the ball joint checked like this?

Ball Joint Inspection

1. Prior to inspecting the ball joints for wear, inspect the wheel bearings and wheel hubs.
   REFER to: Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) (100-04 Noise, Vibration and Harshness, Diagnosis and Testing) .
   

1. NOTE: In order to obtain accurate measurements, the suspension must be in full rebound with the weight of the vehicle supported by the frame.
   Raise and support the vehicle by the frame to allow the wheels to hang in the rebound position.

1. Inspect the ball joint and ball joint boot for damage.
   • If the ball joint or ball joint boot is damaged, install a new lower ball joint as necessary.
     REFER to: Lower Ball Joint (204-01B) .
     REFER to: Lower Ball Joint (204-01C) .
     

NOTE: Carry out Steps 4 through 6 to inspect the lower ball joint. Carry out Steps 7 through 9 to inspect the upper ball joint.

1. NOTICE: Do not use any tools or equipment to move the wheel and tire assembly or suspension components while checking for relative movement. Suspension damage may occur. The use of tools or equipment will also create relative movement that may not exist when using hand force. Relative movement must be measured using hand force only.
   NOTE: The weight of the wheel and tire assembly must be overcome to obtain an accurate measurement on the dial indicator.
   Inspect the ball joint for relative movement by alternately pulling downward and pushing upward on the lower control arm by hand. Note any relative vertical movement between the wheel knuckle and lower control arm at the lower ball joint.
   • If relative movement is not felt or seen, the ball joint is OK. Do not install a new lower ball joint.
   • If relative movement is found, continue with Step 5.

1. NOTE: In order to obtain an accurate measurement, the dial indicator should be aligned as close as possible with the vertical axis (center line) of the ball joint.
   To measure ball joint deflection, attach a suitable dial indicator with a flexible arm between the lower control arm and the wheel knuckle or ball joint stud.

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1. Measure the ball joint deflection while an assistant pushes up and pulls down on the lower control arm, by hand.
   • If the deflection exceeds the specification, a new lower ball joint must be installed.
     REFER to: Lower Ball Joint (204-01B) .
     REFER to: Lower Ball Joint (204-01C) .
     
     
   • If the deflection meets the specification, continue with the procedure.

1. NOTICE: Do not use any tools or equipment to move the wheel and tire assembly or suspension components while checking for relative movement. Suspension damage may occur. The use of tools or equipment will also create relative movement that may not exist when using hand force. Relative movement must be measured using hand force only.
   Inspect the ball joint for relative movement by alternately pulling downward and pushing upward on the upper control arm by hand. Note any relative vertical movement between the wheel knuckle and upper arm at the upper ball joint.
   • If relative movement is not felt or seen, the ball joint is OK. Do not install a new ball joint.
   • If relative movement is found, continue with Step 8

1. NOTE: In order to obtain an accurate measurement, the dial indicator should be aligned as close as possible with the vertical axis (center line) of the ball joint.
   To measure ball joint deflection, attach a suitable dial indicator with a flexible arm between the upper control arm and the wheel knuckle or ball joint stud.

 

[James Plastina]

Thank you for the replies everyone. This is all very helpful. My ranger has 28500 miles on it completely stock with a factory FX4 package. What's confusing to me is in another thread someone said that the OEM direct ford parts are in some cases superior to the aftermarket ones. But why did my ball-joint fail at 28k miles here in las vegas? I don't off-road or beat on my truck at all.

Another question is if this ball-joint is worn out, are all of them worn out? Should I replace them all if I'm going through the hassle of doing the work?


The rough country uppers are $300 for the pair. Seems reasonable.
https://tinyurl.com/mvaxbwcy

 

[5thranger]

Thank you for the replies everyone. This is all very helpful. My ranger has 28500 miles on it completely stock with a factory FX4 package. What's confusing to me is in another thread someone said that the OEM direct ford parts are in some cases superior to the aftermarket ones. But why did my ball-joint fail at 28k miles here in las vegas? I don't off-road or beat on my truck at all.

Another question is if this ball-joint is worn out, are all of them worn out? Should I replace them all if I'm going through the hassle of doing the work?


The rough country uppers are $300 for the pair. Seems reasonable.
https://tinyurl.com/mvaxbwcy

Did you actually check it or were you told it is bad hard to believe at 28,000 miles.

 

[James Plastina]

Yes i checked. I have a stethoscope to listen to the ball-joint. I can hear it crunching when turning the wheel. I also had a auto tech look at it and he confirmed it. I'm baffled truly.

 

[James Plastina]

So my date code is 6/20 so just to be sure the only lower ball-joint I can get is the MS40564?

 

[Whiplash]

So my date code is 6/20 so just to be sure the only lower ball-joint I can get is the MS40564?

Which one you get depends completely on knuckle material.... aluminum or steel....
stud taper of ball joint is different for each.... 2020 is the year they made the move to steel....aluminum at the start of the year , steel at the end of the year...

 

[airline tech]

Get a magnet and see if it sticks to the LCA's.
You can look at your window sticker and view the blend date.
As you can possibly have a blend/build June 1-7th.

Easiest Way - Magnet (If it sticks - Steel)

 

[airline tech]

I forgot the date code is at the bottom of the sticker (as well) Build Date = 6/26/2020
X20200626xxxx - so they should be steel - since this was a transition month - I would still use a magnet to double check.

 

[Frenchy]

Get a magnet and see if it sticks to the LCA's.
You can look at your window sticker and view the blend date.
As you can possibly have a blend/build June 1-7th.

Easiest Way - Magnet (If it sticks - Steel)

I think you.mean the knuckle

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