How to Replace the Ball Joint of an Escort

The ball joints on a car are as important to the car's steering as the joints in your arms are. You need to change the ball joints if they have worn down, and it is likely that you'll need to change them both together unless you turn the car in one direction far more frequently than the other (and that's unlikely for anyone who doesn't drive a route for a living). Replacing a ball joint on most Ford Escort models is simpler than on other vehicles because you don't need to completely remove the control arm from the Escort. Still, this is not necessarily an easy task, and you must use good judgment and caution as you proceed.

Instructions

1

Block the Escort's rear wheels with heavy blocks or wheel chocks and make sure the parking brake is on. Raise the front end with a floor jack and support the car on jack stands.

2

Unscrew and completely remove the ball joint's clamp bolt, working underneath the car. The large bolt connects the joint to the stabilizer bar through a notch in the ball joint stud. Use a flare-nut wrench with as long a handle as you can find.

3

Remove the two bolts that connect the ball joint to the control arm--one on the upper side and another on the lower side--and separate the ball joint from the control arm.

4

Connect the replacement ball joint to the control arm. Connect the clamp bolt and nut, then insert the two sets of nuts and bolts for the upper and lower ends of the joint.

5

Tighten the clamp bolt to between 32 and 43 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Tighten the upper and lower end nuts to between 69 and 86 foot-pounds.

6

Remove the jack stands and lower the car to the ground.