[zackattack784]

I took my '00 ZTS in for inspection the other day and just got a call saying the one ball joint needed to be replaced and the other will most likely need to be replaced come next year.

They said it would be over $300 to replace one, close to $600 for both. I see online that a ball joint for the focus is pretty cheap, is this something that is hard to replace and that's why it costs so much?

If not, is this something I could do myself? I'm at work so I haven't had a chance to look in the chilton yet.

Can anybody offer any insight on this? Thanks!

 

[whitefox]

Ball joints are usually fairly simple to replace, but I am not 100% versed on the Focus front suspension. I believe you should be able to do it yourself if you have a Chilton's repair manual.

 

[mrprichda2]

I took my '00 ZTS in for inspection the other day and just got a call saying the one ball joint needed to be replaced and the other will most likely need to be replaced come next year.

They said it would be over $300 to replace one, close to $600 for both. I see on line that a ball joint for the focus is pretty cheap, is this something that is hard to replace and that's why it costs so much?

If not, is this something I could do myself? I'm at work so I haven't had a chance to look in the Chilton yet.

Can anybody offer any insight on this? Thanks!

I am not an expert but I am in a similar situation. Ford made the control arm and the ball joint one piece. So you have to buy it as a whole. It just seems like to much money just to put one control arm/w ball joint on. You can buy the control arm at http://www.rockauto.com for a good price. If you have the right tools you can do it yourself with some help. If you cant just I would just supply them withe the part. I would replace both if you have the $$$$$.[wrenchin]

 

[bfgsvt]

ball joint

You can replace the ball joints on the Focus, you have to remove the control arm, and drill out three rivets. The replacement ball joint comes with nuts and bolts to fill the holes from the rivets. Spray every thing with penetrating oil before you start. The best way to free the ball joint from the spindle is with a long pipe attached to the control arm from below with a chain or heavy wire wound multiple times around. Have the car secured on jack stands and push down, it will pop out easily. I tried the first time with a hammer and pickle fork, with a torch and a hammer, and so on, but these methods didn't work as well as the pipe.

Good Luck

 

[Mr.Bergner]

Hell, why you're in there, replace the control arm bushings with some polyurethane inserts and maybe a stiffer sway bar. Along with some Moog Endlinks. But then you'd need to stiffen up the rear sway and bushings.


just saying.....lol