2001 Continental rear ball joint replacement

[jordan1961mg]

There is nothing in the shop manual, anyone have any information on how to change the rear ball joints?

 

[04_Sport_LS]

Can you even find the ball joints separately at a parts store?

If the Continental is anything like the Lincoln LS, you may have to buy the whole control arm.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

Well... the ball joints are available separately. However, since the control arm is aluminum, replacing the ball joints could prove to be tricky.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

They are probably pressed in... with a "friction fit". Especially the knurled ones.

 

[jordan1961mg]

I know I can buy the ball joints, which I did. It looks like the replacement procedure is a black hole. I will do a DIY myself when I get to the job.

 

[jordan1961mg]

I would actually buy the whole arm but it's u available everywhere. Lots of fronts, no rears......

 

[04_Sport_LS]

I thought I saw some arms on Rock Auto.

The arms are aluminum, just like the Lincoln LS steering knuckles.

They were not intended to be rebuilt, but replaced as a whole unit.

It takes ALOT of heat to expand the aluminum to get the old ball joints out, and alot of heat to get them back in.

IME... It's a two person job, and the control arms should be removed from the car.

Caveat... most shops will probably not want to do the job, for liability reasons.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

And a press won't work. To much risk of galling the aluminum... or getting the ball joints wedged (cocked sideways)

Then you are done.