2004 Grand Marquis Maintenance

[Bogdon]

I recently had an oil and filter change done on my 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, which I bought two years ago at 69,000 and is presently at 85,000.

My mechanic said my front passenger right side has noticeable upper ball joint play with the other side showing signs of play as well. He recommends changing both upper ball joints and an alignment.

I'll double check with him on the following. Apparently he feels the other related parts are okay. I went to the Moog site which seems to sell only in kits that include other related parts. At other forums, it's said that it's not so uncommon to only need the upper ball joints changed with an alignment.

Curious for input on these matters and links to reliable and comparatively cheap venues to get the part at issue.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I would pass on Moog. Go with TRW (JBJ-340 lower/ JBJ-1017 upper) instead or Motorcraft OES - MCSOE34 for the lower ball joints, but you'll need the full control arm for upper (MCSOE36 left and MCF2501 right) which is ~$70 or so each).

 

[Lubener]

I wouldn't be surprised since the part has no grease fitting is very light in construction as compared to earlier models.

I would verify your mechanic's claims. Jack up the front end, grasp the wheel at twelve and six o'clock and rock the wheel back and forth. If your upper ball joints are loose, you will feel it and see the looseness at the ball joint. If you need them, the upper ball joints are part of the upper control arm, so you get it as an assembly. I would go with OEM if possible.

 

[ka9mnx]

I've had a great experience with Moog products for the last 50 years. Go with their "Problem Solvers" if you can. That's their top of the line product.

I had to replace the uppers on my 2005 Ranger and they came only as a kit with the control arm. Made the R/R easy peasy. The lowers were pressed in and a pain but doable.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

OP, are your tires wearing unevenly? That's the first sign of ball joint wear.

 

[gman2304]

I just had the lower ball joints and tie rods replaced on my 2000 Ford Focus beater wagon with greasable MOOG and a 4 wheel alignment. Amazing the difference this makes on a 25 year old car. No more squeaks or thumps and the taut steering feel is, dare I say it, BMW’ish.

 

[Bogdon]

OP, are your tires wearing unevenly? That's the first sign of ball joint wear.

Not yet. My mechanic said they will though. He gave me the impression that if I just change the lower ball joints now, I will not have to place the other related part/parts.

Assuming this is true, where can I get the best lower ball joint parts (two) only (no other related parts sold as a kit) at the best price from a reputable source?

 

[Bogdon]

I wouldn't be surprised since the part has no grease fitting is very light in construction as compared to earlier models.

I would verify your mechanic's claims. Jack up the front end, grasp the wheel at twelve and six o'clock and rock the wheel back and forth. If your upper ball joints are loose, you will feel it and see the looseness at the ball joint. If you need them, the upper ball joints are part of the upper control arm, so you get it as an assembly. I would go with OEM if possible.

Thanks for your reply. Assuming he's right, where can I get the best lower ball joint parts (two) only (no other related parts sold as a kit) at the best price from a reputable source?

I tried following up with him this week. His boss told me he's off and to ck back next week. His boss also noted how the lower ball joints are typically sold as a kit.

I've been told elsewhere that in the early stages of the lower ball joint/joints wearing out, it's perfectly okay to just change the lower ball joints as a pair with an alignment without changing the related part/parts - that the longer it wears out, the other related part/parts will wear out sooner.

 

[Oliveoil2]

Grab the top of the tire while parked and give it a couple of hard pulls toward you while you’re squatting. If you have a bad upper ball joint it will clunk. And you will feel it. If it’s not clunking doing this, or when you’re hitting a bump when driving, your upper ball joint is fine. Not many miles for ball joints. I could see tie rods being bad. But that you’ll feel in the steering wheel.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

Not yet. My mechanic said they will though. He gave me the impression that if I just change the lower ball joints now, I will not have to place the other related part/parts.

Assuming this is true, where can I get the best lower ball joint parts (two) only (no other related parts sold as a kit) at the best price from a reputable source?

I bought Moog from RockAuto. They're still working but not too many miles yet. If you want the best get OE. RockAuto has good prices and fast shipping. Napa has top quality parts but you'll pay.

 

[Egg_Head]

You've driven this car 16k miles in 2 years and live in the NE. Replace upper and lower and enjoy the refreshed ride quality of your highway cruiser.