[mike195275]

What am I looking at replacing here? Its on drivers side. Is it a safety issue short term? I hope I can do this myself. Just got the car couple of weeks ago, 2001 SEL.

 

[fct]

Is this the infamous lower ball joint? Once that rubber gets off it, it will lose grease, eventually become loose, and it will have to be replaced. I just asked related questions

here:

http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/124...159903-need-new-front-ball-joints-urgent.html

and

here:

http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/118...7-control-arms-need-replaced-ball-joints.html

perhaps it will help you.

When you change oil at places like MIDAS or Firestone, have them look at your front suspension. Firestone will do a suspension check up for $20 without oil change.

 

[mike195275]

I was just reading those, and figured it to be the case. Just want to know how bad this is now.

 

[fct]

Well, after a 1,200 mile trip, the thread on inner side of that wheel is almost gone on my car. So, it's clearly bad and possibly dangerous on my car. The rumor is, one way to check if your ball joint is becoming bad, is to jack up the car, grab your wheel around 6 and 12 o'clock, try shaking it, and see if there is any movement.

http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/82-...46-how-check-ball-joint-wear.html#post1345110

 

[loudsho92]

Short term it is okay but should be replaced soon.

This is what you are looking for: Ingalls Front Ball Joint

 

[mike195275]

Thanks for help. I will try tackling this myself over the weekend.

 

[mike195275]

any suggestion on the bushing? None of my local parts stores have anything in stock.

 

[loudsho92]

The best I could say is buy the Gen3 ones and gore them out. The frame ones might work but the knuckles ones definitely do not.

 

[emh]

ahh... ball joints. 14 hours later, I had new ones in. 10 hours for the first side, 4 for the second.

What a wonderful time.

 

[mike195275]

Did my balljoints. Wasn't too bad. I pulled knuckle off on drivers side, but manged other side with knuckle still attached to strut. It got a little tricky, but worked just fine.