Advice on Lower Control Arm damage & repair

[Gizmo42]

I'm not positive but I THINK the ball joints on 98+ are different then 96/97. I know the lower control arms are different. On mine the ball joint slides into the control arm then the bolts go through. On the ones you guys have the ball joints bolt to it. You can see in the drawing there is a plate on the bottom and the ball joint slips into the opening.



The hard part about the bushings is the rear lower one. It's pressed into the frame instead of the arm so you cant just put it in the shop press. It likes to get stuck too. Being an Arizona truck yours might not be bad. They spent 8 hours pounding, pressing, torching to get mine out.

[VX KAT]

Got the LCA replaced. Mated up perfectly to the frame bracket, shop couldn't detect any displacement whatsoever.
New lower ball joint installed and an alignment.
She's all good to go again! Rides great, no shimmy.
$400 --- Ouch! <-- now THAT'S what I call tuition cost V!

Thanks everybody for all the help and input, as always!!

[Knigh7s]

Great news!!!

[tom4bren]

Got the LCA replaced. Mated up perfectly to the frame bracket, shop couldn't detect any displacement whatsoever.

WooHoo!!!

Glad you got it all worked out.

[Y33TREKker]

Always good to hear a story where it's eventually determined that LESS than expected was necessary in the end.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

FYI when I had my diff drop brackets installed I opted for new upper ball joints & my mechanic installed MOOG life-time guaranteed "made in USA" ones. The only thing I kinda was disappointed with is they have the zerks so unlike the factory ones you gotta grease them on occassion. Yeah, I know, I got lazy with the original ones being no maintenance,,,lol.

[VX KAT]

FYI when I had my diff drop brackets installed I opted for new upper ball joints & my mechanic installed MOOG life-time guaranteed "made in USA" ones. The only thing I kinda was disappointed with is they have the zerks so unlike the factory ones you gotta grease them on occassion. Yeah, I know, I got lazy with the original ones being no maintenance,,,lol.

Actually Merlin mentioned that brand for the lower ball joint when we were discussing these, he said they'd be les$, but I decided to just go with the OEM, one stop shopping, done, no worrying about right part or fit etc?.

Here's a weird question I thought of?.my used lower ball joint rubber boot was starting to show signs of getting dried out - so that means my other side is no doubt doing the same, and some day they're gong to split I presume.
Could you spray some FLEXSEAL ("rubber in a can") on the boot to add some life? or would it get too hot to handle that? or some other problem?