lower control arm info

[Ryan A Harris]

I know that FORD LCA's are now dis-continued, so this will leaves us looking for ways to keep our SC stockers going. The LCA's are SC specific, but I can't remeber why, or maybe will tell they are not, which would be great.

What I'm really looking for is:

HAS ANYONE HAD NEW BALL JOINTS PRESSED INTO THEIR OLD LCA'S?

For some reason I recall a few years back that Jim, or Les had tried this, and was not succesfull. Which would mean that if your ball joint fials, you need a brand new LCA, but don't go to FORD for one.

Also I can't seem to locate the TRW site to see if they still have them available.

[SeanMatteson]

I can't remember whether the ones I got from Part Source or CTC were made by TRW or Moog. Maybe try either one. ...Lifetime warranty, and seemed to be about the same quality as stock, and had grease nipples in the ball joints.

;)

{EDIT} I just checked my own member's page, and it was in fact Moog front lower control arms. {/EDIT}

Cheers,

Sean

[fturner]

Last I heard, the SC specific ones where not being made by anyone anymore, and I believe the Ford ones where made by TRW.

I've read that its the inner bushing that is different on the SC one as it was stiffer, and and I think the lower ball joint was also different for the SC ie teflon coated and no grease nipple.

[fast Ed]

FWIW, the Ford listing shows the same lower ball joints for all 89 - 97 MN-12 cars. I believe they all had the low friction teflon-lined joint. The inner pivot bushing should be the only difference. $53.85 each for the OEM Ford replacements.


cheers
Ed N.

[charged92]

When I put my lowering springs in last year we found I needed one. We ordered the SC specific part from a place that specializes in older car parts. I'll can't for the life of me remember the name as I type this, but if you would like I can call the shop and get it.

[ve3lt]

I can call the shop and get it.

ABSOLUTELY Dean! I have to replace both of mine and get a front end alignment before I ruin my brand new tires!
Any info would be appreciated.

[Ryan A Harris]

Yes Dean that places # would be great.

ED is that price for the inner bushings? Or the lower ball joint?

Ftunrer, thanks on pointing out the inner bushing is whats different. I wasn't sure why or if they were SC specific.

[fast Ed]

That is the price for a lower ball joint. The inner bushing isn't sold separately by Ford.


thx
Ed N.

[Ryan A Harris]

Thanks Ed.

[Paul93SC]

HAS ANYONE HAD NEW BALL JOINTS PRESSED INTO THEIR OLD LCA'S?
I'll let you know... :cool: I'm about to let a local Mercury dealership try installing one on mine. They better not fug it up! :(

According to Ed, there are two types of lower ball joints available from ford: Greasable(sp?) and non-greasable. The ones that come with grease fittings are cheaper... (go figure).

Last I heard, the SC specific ones where not being made by anyone anymore, and I believe the Ford ones where made by TRW. I've read that its the inner bushing that is different on the SC one as it was stiffer.Yep, sad but true. There's a thread on this in the members' section somewhere. Worse still is the fact that all "parts" stores will swear the LX LCA is the correct SC part and they have no idea there is a difference.

Hmm... I wonder if Sean is running around with those weak-~~~ LX LCAs :eek:

On the 'plus' side however is the fact that the inner bushings seem to last a lot longer than the ball joints and strut rod bushings (which are still available from Ford as separate replacement parts thank goodness). My drivers-side LCA balljoint has dried out completely (and makes awful noises when turning), and my strut rod bushing doesn't look too healthy either, but the inner bushing appears to be in great shape. Have you looked closely at yours Ryan?.. maybe you don't need to replace the entire thing.

[charged92]

Sorry guys I forgot about getting the name of that place. ( I was just at the dealership today too!:rolleyes: ) I will get it.

[SeanMatteson]

Hmm... I wonder if Sean is running around with those weak-~~~ LX LCAs :eek:

That's a very good question. However, I know that when I swapped the new LCA's in, I compared them side-by-side with the SC pieces, and I could not see any difference. When I bought them back in the Spring of 2004, I seem to recall there being two different listings (SC and LX). To be completely honest, I can't recall whether the ball-joints on the replacement LCA's had grease fittings on my car. I believe the replacement outer tie-rod ends did. I know the replacement UCA's don't have greaseable ball-joints.

Is your car at Gemini, Paul? Done with Eastgate? ;)

Cheers,

Sean

[Paul93SC]

That's a very good question. However, I know that when I swapped the new LCA's in, I compared them side-by-side with the SC pieces, and I could not see any difference.I was just yanking your chain Sean :D (I thought I might get a response from ya).

From what I know about them they look identical, but the SC bushing has a higher durometer rating than the LX version. The SC version was probably available back in 2004; they were in 2002 for sure (had my passenger-side LCA replaced then, and yes, I'm kicking myself for not doing both when I had the chance... oh well).

Is your car at Gemini, Paul? Done with Eastgate?I haven't taken it in yet, but yes, I'm going to give them a chance. Eastgate is inconvenient for me and since I'm getting my truck serviced at Gemini, if they want my continued professional business they better damn well do a good job on my SC! (at least that's the plan :D )