'01 Ranger Lower Ball Joint Installation

[benjamming]

The vehicle is a '01 Ranger XLT 2WD with coil springs.

Removing the front lower ball joint was pretty easy with the loaner tool from AutoZone, OEM p/n 27023. The adapters & receiving tubes worked well.

However, the installation hasn't worked out as well. The ball joint press kit 27023 has the receiver tubes of the right size to fit on the top & bottom of the ball joint, but the c-clamp frame press isn't "tall" enough to go over both receiving tubes & both adapters. I've also picked up the adapter kit, OEM p/n 27166, but that didn't have short enough receiving tubes to fix the problem. It was labeled for Ford 2WD vans.

I'm going back to pick up another adapter set, OEM p/n 27163, but I'm not sure if that will work or not since it's labeled for 1996-2004 Ford Taurus & Mercury Sable.

OEM Loaner Tools

What are my other options here? I'm willing to buy if loaner tools don't cover this application.

Thanks.

 

[Cardenio327]

I despise working on suspension. Here is how my techs do it:

Support the pickup securely on jackstands. Place balljoint in control arm. Jack up the balljoint from underneath using a hydraulic floor jack, with an old wheel bearing or race of the proper size to not damage the balljoint. You will want to jack it up so that the lower control arm lifts about a third of its travel. Now beat the control arm downward with a large hammer to seat the balljoint. It may take 5 minutes of hammering to seat it.

 

[Roadkingnc]

Using a hammer is hacking the job, once you get the right adapter combination it will press right in.

 

[nwjones18]

I have just put the threaded end of the ball joint through the hollow end of the c clamp and pulled with the c clamp itself before. Sometimes it isn't clear at first what combo of cups or receivers will work, but there is generally away.

 

[Kool1]

O'Reillys also has a loaner tool program. They may have the tools you need.

 

[Kruse]

I recently replaced the lower ball joints and upper A-arms on my '97 F-250. The Lisle ball joint tool that I own wouldn't work and the loaner OMC (I think) from O'Reilly didn't either. I had to actually take some black pipe, cut it to length (approximately an inch or so) and make a small extension so I could press in the lower ball joints.
After making the home-made extensions, it was a breeze.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: nwjones18
I have just put the threaded end of the ball joint through the hollow end of the c clamp and pulled with the c clamp itself before. Sometimes it isn't clear at first what combo of cups or receivers will work, but there is generally away.
+1 to this with emphasis

Sometimes you can just measure out the size you need and buy a piece of pipe from a scrapyard or Home Depot and cut it to length.

 

[nwjones18]

Honestly not sure how close this is to your ranger, but it has good pictures and shows different examples of how to arrange the cups.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/8...oline_Vans.html