Can I get front upper ball joints for our 2007 Ford Edge? I don’t need the entire control arms, for they don’t need to be replaced
I need to buy just the front upper ball joints for our 2007 Edge. We don't need to replace the control arms because they're fine. Apparently the previous car owner didn't provide adequate care of ball joints because the rubber is completely gone on both of them. Therefore I want to purchase without control arms. Where can I purchase them? I know it can be done but they rarely sell them separately from the control arm because they're trying to make a profit, but I don't want to pay for something I don't need. Can you assist me?
My car has 100000 miles.
My car has a
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The front suspension system on the Edge incorporates a strut assembly that takes the place of the upper arm and ball joint. There is a lower arm assembly though on your vehicle. If you desire to replace just the ball joints in the lower arms, Moog, AC-Delco and Mevotech all vend these lower arm ball joints separately. You’ll want to very carefully evaluate the rubber bushings in the existing arm though though. Generally, rubber based products (control arm bushings) are at the end of their service life once you get to 6-8 years or so. If wear in the rubber allows the control arm to move even .020 inches, it can make it technically impossible to align the vehicle. The tolerances are very small in front end alignment. If you desire that this issue be inspected and resolved by a certified mechanic, please request ball joint replacement and the responding certified mechanic will address all of your concerns. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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Ball joints typically cannot be replaced separately, so the entire control arm needs to be replaced. The ball joints are critical to vehicle alignment, so these control arms should also be replaced in pairs.
If a customer needs a new ball joint, recommend replacing all of the joints at the same time. If one joint has failed, chances are the other joints may be nearing the end of their service life, too.
Answer: Any joint that exceeds the vehicle manufacturer`s maximum allowable wear needs to be replaced. Ball joints typically last 70,000 to 150,000 miles depending on their usage and road conditions. Clunking noises, poor handling, pulling, and abnormal wearing of your tires are all signs of a worn ball joint.
After replacing the ball joints on one or both sides you will need to get an alignment done. If you only replace one side, get the alignment done, and need to replace the other side in a month, another alignment will need to be done.
At the steering knuckle end, the control arm connects via ball joint to allow smooth wheel movement in all directions. The ball joint allows the steering knuckle to pivot and gives the wheels the ability to turn while the vehicle is in motion.
To remove an old ball joint from a control arm, you must first separate the control arm from the suspension and the frame of the car. Several methods can be used to remove the ball joint from the control arm but a puller tool is most often recommended for removal of the ball joint.
A loose ball joint in the front suspension will introduce some “play” that allows one of the front wheels to come out of alignment with the other. Over time, this can lead to uneven tire wear with one tire wearing out much more rapidly than the other.
For driver safety, MOOG recommends that a `press-in` ball joint is only replaced on one occasion and that any subsequent repair should use a fully assembled wishbone arm.
While ball joints may last 70,000 miles or more, they don`t last forever. Their actual lifespan will depend on your driving habits, road conditions and exposure to road splash and salt.
Ball joint replacement is not straightforward, as they can be very tricky to access and install – especially with age and rust. On some cars, the ball joint is integrated into the control arm. If you`re not familiar with the suspension and wheel assembly, it`s best to visit a garage for a professional check.
metallic clunking noise: one of the most noticeable and common symptoms of a bad ball joint is a clunking or knocking noise when the suspension moves up and down. a worn ball joint will begin to rattle inside the socket when driving over an uneven road, rough terrain, potholes or speed bumps.
What are the causes of bad ball joints? Age and wear are the most common reasons why ball joints go bad especially if the car is driven regularly and over extreme terrains at that. Potholes, rough roads, and practically invisible speed bumps are not exactly friendly to your car`s ball joints.
There are the upper/ lower ball joints, loaded/follower ball joints as well as the sealed and greasable or serviceable types.
Designed to maintain alignment and absorb radial loads, such as turning forces, upper ball joints enable proper rotation of steering knuckle.
Depending on the type of suspension, most cars have both upper and lower ball joints. The lower ball joints are usually larger and wear out faster due to the weight of the front of car that rests on them. Click here to read our detailed article on ball joints.
There`s no denying that it`s very important to replace your ball joints when needed. However, it`s worth noting that doing that doesn`t necessarily mean you need an alignment. The only time you need one after replacing the ball joints is if the previous alignment was performed when ball joints were not in good shape.
The OEM (dealer) parts are sold separately, that is you have to buy the ball joint and the control arm individually, if you desire both parts.
On non-strut equipped vehicles, the spindle is attached to both the upper and lower control arms with a ball joint. The ball joint is a steel ball enclosed in a steel socket that allows the spindle and front wheel to rotate left and right and allow the wheels to move up and down following the roads surface.
The OEM (dealer) parts are sold separately, that is you have to buy the ball joint and the control arm individually, if you desire both parts.
On non-strut equipped vehicles, the spindle is attached to both the upper and lower control arms with a ball joint. The ball joint is a steel ball enclosed in a steel socket that allows the spindle and front wheel to rotate left and right and allow the wheels to move up and down following the roads surface.
The weldable upper ball joint housing is made of 4130 chromoly steel. It welds directly into an upper control arm, provides additional shock clearance, and allows for more negative camber to be used, all while using standard QA1 ball joint components.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Can I get front upper ball joints for our 2007 Ford Edge? I don’t need the entire control arms, for they don’t need to be replaced
ANSWER : The front suspension system on the Edge incorporates a strut assembly that takes the place of the upper arm and ball joint. There is a lower arm assembly though on your vehicle. If you desire to replace just the ball joints in the lower arms, Moog, AC-Delco and Mevotech all vend these lower arm ball joints separately. You’ll want to very carefully evaluate the rubber bushings in the existing arm though though. Generally, rubber based products (control arm bushings) are at the end of their service life once you get to 6-8 years or so. If wear in the rubber allows the control arm to move even .020 inches, it can make it technically impossible to align the vehicle. The tolerances are very small in front end alignment. If you desire that this issue be inspected and resolved by a certified mechanic, please request ball joint replacement and the responding certified mechanic will address all of your concerns. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
When replacing ball joints can you just replace the ball joints or do you need to just replace the control arm?
ANSWER : Suspension components on modern vehicles are not as heavy as they used to be. Components like control arms can be lighter and thinner. Ball joints are riveted or pressed into control arms. Sometimes bolted/screwed. Since replacing a ball joint will usually involve removing the control arm from the vehicle to either press or drill rivets out – which is more labor intensive, it can be a time and money saver labor wise to simply replace the entire control arm.
You are removing the old control arm and replacing it with a new one, complete with new ball joint and control arm bushings. Even if the control arm bushings are in good shape at the time the ball joint is replaced, they will eventually require replacement. You then have parts and labor involved again to remove the control arm, replace the bushings, then reinstall it on the vehicle.
Sometimes the ball joint replacement can be more cost effective in the long run, to simply replace the entire control arm. If you’d like to have this done, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home or office to service your ball joints.
When replacing ball joints can you just replace the ball joints or do you have to replace the whole control arm?
ANSWER : The ball joint on this vehicle can be replaced separately from the lower control arm. However, on this vehicle it is also a known problem where the ball joint becomes loose inside the mounting in the lower control arm and will not hold tight any longer. This will require the entire lower control arm to be replaced. [https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement]
In order to know if just the ball joint or the whole complete lower control arm needs replaced, the lower ball joint will need to be disconnected from the steering knuckle and checked to see if it fits tight in the lower control arm. If it is loose, then replace control arm. If it fits tight then you will need to remove the ball joint from control arm and see if a new ball joint will fit tight in the control arm or control arm still will need to be replaced. This is why you were advised to replace the whole control arm.
On my 2000 ford explorer do i need to replace the ball joints and the control arms or can i just replace the ball joints
ANSWER : The lower ball joints on this vehicle can be replaced individually. The upper ball joint is usually included with the control arm but, depending on your VIN, the upper joint is available separately as well. You should examine the bushings on the upper arm to determine if it is worth just replacing the ball joint as you might need control arm bushings as well. If you desire that the ball joints be inspected, and replaced as necessary, by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a front suspension – ball joint inspection/replacement and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
I need to remove torsion bar from lower control arm.
ANSWER : Be very careful messing with the torsion bar. It is under an extreme amount of force. Make sure you have all of the tension removed from the torsion bar by loosening the adjustment bolt. Count the number of turns you loosen it so that you can put it back the way it was. If you are still having problems, a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, will be able to complete the control arm repair for you.
When replacing my ball joints on my 2005 dodge Strauss do I need to replace the control arms as well
ANSWER : Hi there. When changing out the ball joints, you don’t need to change the control arms if you have a replacement ball joint. However, if you are wanting to replace the bushings and the ball joint, then you may get a better deal when buying a control arm with the bushings and ball joint already installed. I suggest checking the bushings on the control arms before making your decision. If you need further assistance with replacing the control arms, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
The front left left tire titled is inward after i replace the upper control arm and the lower ball joint
ANSWER : What you are describing sounds like a bad or worn out ball joint. A ball joint is designed to pivot through multiple planes. Of course, because the ball joint constantly pivots at different angles, it tends to wear out more rapidly than bushings. A load-bearing ball joint supports the weight of the vehicle, while providing a hinge point for the steering system. Load-bearing ball joints are designed to cancel the effects of normal wear by centering themselves in their sockets. Non-load-bearing ball joints, on the other hand, maintain precise dimensional tolerances in a steering or suspension system. Wear in a non-load-bearing ball joint will cause a noticeable change in the camber, caster or toe angle of a front suspension. Consequently, non-load-bearing joints are preloaded to compensate for wear. Common symptoms of worn out ball joints are clunking noises, excessive vibration, steering wander and squeaking. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and replace the ball joints on your vehicle.
Ball joints
ANSWER : The ball joint can be pressed but replacing the arm is not a bad idea. Considering the age of the vehicle (mileage unknown), it’s a good possibility that the control arm bushings are cracked. Replacing the entire arm – which comes complete with new bushings and ball joint – is not really a bad idea. It’s less labor intensive to remove and replace a complete arm than it is to remove the arm, replace the ball joint and bushings and then reinstall it. Whatever route you decide on, be sure to get the alignment checked afterwards. If you would like to have this done, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to replace the ball joints or entire control arm assembly.
