I need to R&R the ball joints on my 97 MKVIII. My local shop wants $600+ to replace. I'd rather do it myself. Are there any special tools or procedures involved. The arms look a little delicate compared to the "old school" steel arms on my Stingray and I don't want to mangle them in the process.
I'm a fairly skilled wrench and have no qualms about purchase of specialty tools if required to do the job correctly.
Any info would be appreciated.

:W to :V the Mark VIII owners should be able to help you.

Download the appropriate CD for your year in the link pinned at the top of the forum. The job is not that hard, just a bit time consuming.

Simple job. Check out the search engine and put in "ball joints." I and another guy traded experiences when we did it. Not too bad for the pass. side, but the driver's side is a little tough. Still, it's doable over one weekend and only cost me parts=$135.00.

Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
I just went back and the shop informed me the $600+price was "per side". I about hit the floor.
After a few choice words for the service writer I went by the dealer to verify and they told me that the control arms are replaced as a complete assembly with ball joints installed, go figure. I've got a friend scaring me up a set as I want to do both sides at once. There is no provision for a zerk fitting on the ball joints so I want to ensure both sides are up to snuff.
I've avoided wrenching on this car as it's been fine up till now so I guess it's time to break the cherry. I love this car and appreciate all the tech and info sharing on this site.
Thanks Again, Eddie

I just had my upper and lower replaced at the shop for around $800, the tire shop quoted me 2 something apiece for the upper arms,... I found them online for cheap, but then wasn't sure why they were so cheap, and didn't have the time, so I paid the bucks. These are what I found, has anybody delt with CarParts.com ??
http://wrenchead.carparts.com/cgi-bin/sewse?/u/www/webepc.com/cmm/scripts/epc20.cmm+jcw-carparts
They list Moog parts...

Welcome to the site,
sounds as if you are on the right track. I had just done both upper arms and struts last night. I used Arnott A-arms, Strutmasters struts. I found that this link;

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article97.html

was extremely helpful when doing the driver's side. Plan on getting frustrated. I had to move a wireing harness out of an access hole to get to the back side nut. While you're in there, its a good time to sensor lower the car if you haven't already.

Ford stopping putting grease fittings in there ball joints over ten years ago. When they upgraded them, the durability tests confirmed no appreaciable wear after 200,000 miles.

I did mine in my driveway, it's fairly easy. I wrote a "how to" guide on it. Search the forums. This has been covered alot so you should find it in many places. Good luck!

Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
I just went back and the shop informed me the $600+price was "per side". I about hit the floor.
After a few choice words for the service writer I went by the dealer to verify and they told me that the control arms are replaced as a complete assembly with ball joints installed, go figure. I've got a friend scaring me up a set as I want to do both sides at once. There is no provision for a zerk fitting on the ball joints so I want to ensure both sides are up to snuff.
I've avoided wrenching on this car as it's been fine up till now so I guess it's time to break the cherry. I love this car and appreciate all the tech and info sharing on this site.
Thanks Again, Eddie

Still doesn't matter. The price I showed above ($135) was for BOTH CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, which I got for that price at Autozone.