BALL JOINTS?

LT1RUNNER · 08-28-2007, 10:33 AM

Whuts up guys?! Need help!! Is the front suspension on a T-Bird the same or similar as a Mustang? My son has a 95 T-Bird and it has the 4.6v8 and the front ball joints are bad to the point where the car is not safe to drive. I know engines but nothing about front or rear suspension. I'll be doing the work myself and I need to know if there are any website I can go on to help me with the repair. If anyone knows then you help would be really appreciated. Thanks!!

03DSG · 08-28-2007, 10:39 AM

I would go to local parts store and see if the have a book on the various suspension setups. When I worked at murrays auto we had a TRW book the showed the suspension/ steering for every car. Also look up parts for the T-Bird and compare part numbers with those of a mustang. But I have a feeling not alot will be the same, but the ball joints might be. and ball joints are not super difficult, just a PIA.

LT1RUNNER · 08-28-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03DSG

I would go to local parts store and see if the have a book on the various suspension setups. When I worked at murrays auto we had a TRW book the showed the suspension/ steering for every car. Also look up parts for the T-Bird and compare part numbers with those of a mustang. But I have a feeling not alot will be the same, but the ball joints might be. and ball joints are not super difficult, just a PIA.

I'vr already looked up the ball joints in a Mitchell guied and it didn't show me enough information. If I was a little more suspension savvy then it may have been a good guied but I need something more detail and step by step. I'll check out Napa and see if they can offer a little more. Thanks for your help.

bassman97 · 08-28-2007, 12:19 PM

What you can also do is to search for the part on Summit for the Mustang and the Bird. If both part numbers match, it's a safe bet they'll swap. If not, ask the parts desk at the dealer to see if the ball joints are the same for both cars.

bossman302 · 08-28-2007, 01:05 PM

Welcome aboard LT. I don't know anything about changing ball joints but you may want to check out tccoc. c o m. It is a t-bird/cougar site and the guy/gals there may be able to give you the answer your looking for.

LT1RUNNER · 08-28-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossman302

Welcome aboard LT. I don't know anything about changing ball joints but you may want to check out tccoc. c o m. It is a t-bird/cougar site and the guy/gals there may be able to give you the answer your looking for.

Thanks Bossman! I found the site but unfortunatly it was limited on the "how to's" on suspension. If you know of any other sites please let me know. Appreciate all your help.

bossman302 · 08-28-2007, 05:37 PM

On the mustang the ball joint is pressed in. You would have to find some way to press it out or take the control arm off and take it to a shop. I have no idea if the tbird is the same way. You would have to take a look at it.

I did some searching on the net and found that some ball joint are riveted on. If that is the case you can drill out the rivets

Below are some links I found that may help you. The first 2 talk about ball joints that are rivetted on. The third link is the instructions for Steeda's x2 ball joint. Hope this might help you out.

http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/artic...ticle_id=60227

http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_...e/1888732.html

http://www.steeda.com/directions/555..._balljoint.pdf

LT1RUNNER · 08-29-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossman302

On the mustang the ball joint is pressed in. You would have to find some way to press it out or take the control arm off and take it to a shop. I have no idea if the tbird is the same way. You would have to take a look at it.

I did some searching on the net and found that some ball joint are riveted on. If that is the case you can drill out the rivets

Below are some links I found that may help you. The first 2 talk about ball joints that are rivetted on. The third link is the instructions for Steeda's x2 ball joint. Hope this might help you out.

http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/artic...ticle_id=60227

http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_...e/1888732.html

http://www.steeda.com/directions/555..._balljoint.pdf

Now that's what I'm talking about. Step by step!! Bossman your alright. I owe lunch and a beer!! If your ever around the Phoenix AZ area look me up!! Thanks again!!!

08-28-2007, 10:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
LT1RUNNER Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8	BALL JOINTS? Whuts up guys?! Need help!! Is the front suspension on a T-Bird the same or similar as a Mustang? My son has a 95 T-Bird and it has the 4.6v8 and the front ball joints are bad to the point where the car is not safe to drive. I know engines but nothing about front or rear suspension. I'll be doing the work myself and I need to know if there are any website I can go on to help me with the repair. If anyone knows then you help would be really appreciated. Thanks!!

08-28-2007, 10:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
03DSG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 560	I would go to local parts store and see if the have a book on the various suspension setups. When I worked at murrays auto we had a TRW book the showed the suspension/ steering for every car. Also look up parts for the T-Bird and compare part numbers with those of a mustang. But I have a feeling not alot will be the same, but the ball joints might be. and ball joints are not super difficult, just a PIA. __________________ 03 DSG 2V 5-Speed Mods: Flows, drop in airhog, SCT tune, Motive 4.10 gears (no whine) Dyno(pre-tune): 236 wrhp, not sae corrected Exterior: Mach 1 chin spoiler, Black Bullets (self done), full tint, red calipers(self done), sequential tailights, shorty antenna(self-made) Interior: auto-meter gauges(lunar series), silver center stack and door pieces (self-done, soon to be DSG).

08-28-2007, 01:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
bossman302 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 181	Welcome aboard LT. I don't know anything about changing ball joints but you may want to check out tccoc. c o m. It is a t-bird/cougar site and the guy/gals there may be able to give you the answer your looking for. __________________ Mineral gray 2002 Mustang GT manual 5 speed. Maximum Motor sport suspension. Forge 4.6 with VT stg 2 cams. BBK 75mm tb and LT's. JLT RAI. 290 HP and 308 tq at the wheels.

08-28-2007, 05:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
bossman302 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 181	On the mustang the ball joint is pressed in. You would have to find some way to press it out or take the control arm off and take it to a shop. I have no idea if the tbird is the same way. You would have to take a look at it. I did some searching on the net and found that some ball joint are riveted on. If that is the case you can drill out the rivets Below are some links I found that may help you. The first 2 talk about ball joints that are rivetted on. The third link is the instructions for Steeda's x2 ball joint. Hope this might help you out. http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/artic...ticle_id=60227 http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_...e/1888732.html http://www.steeda.com/directions/555..._balljoint.pdf __________________ Mineral gray 2002 Mustang GT manual 5 speed. Maximum Motor sport suspension. Forge 4.6 with VT stg 2 cams. BBK 75mm tb and LT's. JLT RAI. 290 HP and 308 tq at the wheels.

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08-28-2007, 12:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
bassman97 blank Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 1,689	What you can also do is to search for the part on Summit for the Mustang and the Bird. If both part numbers match, it's a safe bet they'll swap. If not, ask the parts desk at the dealer to see if the ball joints are the same for both cars.