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Home >> Ford >> 2002 >> Taurus SES, 3.0 S >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 972 (Suspension System - General Information -- Excursion & F250-F550 Super Duty) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Suspension System >> Component Tests >> Ball Joint Inspection

Ball Joint Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford Pickup, 2003 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford F450 Super Duty, 2003 Ford Excursion, and 2003 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Raise and support the vehicle.
  2. Prior to performing any inspection of the ball joints, inspect the front wheel bearings (1216); refer to WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION .
  3. Position a safety stand beneath the front axle to be tested.
    Fig 1: Checking Lower Ball Joint
    G03464996Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. While an assistant pulls and pushes the bottom of the tire, observe the relative movement between the lower spindle arm and the front axle. Any movement at or exceeding the specification indicates a worn or damaged lower ball joint. Replace as necessary; refer to FRONT - 2WD - EXCURSION, F-250 & F-350 SUPER DUTY PICKUP or FRONT - 4WD LEAF SPRING - EXCURSION, F250-F550 SUPER DUTY PICKUP .
    Fig 2: Checking Upper Ball Joint
    G03464997Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. While an assistant pulls and pushes the top of the tire, observe the relative movement between the upper spindle arm and the front axle. Movement at or exceeding the specification indicates a worn or damaged upper ball joint. Replace the upper ball joint as necessary; refer to FRONT - 2WD - EXCURSION, F-250 & F-350 SUPER DUTY PICKUP or FRONT - 4WD LEAF SPRING - EXCURSION, F250-F550 SUPER DUTY PICKUP .
    NOTE: To inspect the ball joints for binding (torque required to turn), carry out steps six through twelve.
  6. Place the vehicle on the alignment rack with the front wheels on low friction turn plates.
    Fig 3: Removing Outer Tie-Rod Cotter Pin & Nut
    G03464998Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  7. Remove the outer tie-rod cotter pin and nut.
  8. Disconnect the tie-rod from the wheel knuckle.
  9. Install a bolt and nut through the hole in the wheel knuckle and tighten the nut.
  10. Attach a suitable click-style torque wrench that is set at 135 Nm (100 lb-ft) to the nut, making sure that the handle of the wrench is pointing towards the front of the vehicle.
  11. Pull on the torque wrench, turning the wheel knuckle outwards.
  12. If the torque wrench clicks before the wheel knuckle begins to turn, replace the lower ball joint (1C3Z-3050-AA) and the upper ball joint (F6TZ-3049-AA).
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