How hard is replacing upper control arms on a 2004?

[simmer71]

Hi everyone. So my 2004 Signature with 240k is in need of upper ball joints badly since I noticed the clunking on bumps and inspecting at them during an oil change the other day because the rubber seals are torn. I bought upper control arms a few months ago and I was wondering how hard of a job it is to replace them. I have watched a few YT videos and I can't decide if I want to take this on. Can this be done in an afternoon in my driveway? Any special tools needed? I would appreciate any info as I am planning on not driving the car until the upper ball joints get replaced.

 

[Action]

If it is like my 06 Navigator, it is not difficult.
I changed the right side of my Navigator about a year or so ago when I discovered a torn boot.
About a month ago I found the left boot torn. The joint is not loose yet and I have the replacement. With daytime high temps in triple digit and nigh time lows in the 90s, I am waiting a few months to do the left side.

I am in Phoenix. Hardly rains so moisture does not really splash around and get past the cut bott much. So waiting is not that big of a deal.

R&R - from memory
Shut down the air compressor, jack up the vehicle and remove wheel after putting stands on the frame
Disconnect the air line, the sensor and air suspension strut (top only)
Unbolt the ball joint. May need to wack the joint with a pickle fork. Only use a pickle fork if you are NOT reusing the joint
Unbolt the two upper control arm pivots and remove
Remove the upper control arm

Reverse process to install new arm

Again, because of climate there is no rusty fasteners that I deal with. And at the mid point I clean everything and treat all of the rubber and plastic that I can reach. After changing out the right side there was NO difference in steering and no abnormal tire wear after driving for a month. So, I did not get an alignment. Good thing as I will likely get an alignment after I change out the left side this fall.

Action

 

[Action]

If it is like my 06 Navigator, it is not difficult.
I changed the right side of my Navigator about a year or so ago when I discovered a torn boot.
About a month ago I found the left boot torn. The joint is not loose yet and I have the replacement. With daytime high temps in triple digit and nigh time lows in the 90s, I am waiting a few months to do the left side.

I am in Phoenix. Hardly rains so moisture does not really splash around and get past the cut bott much. So waiting is not that big of a deal.

R&R - from memory
Shut down the air compressor, jack up the vehicle and remove wheel after putting stands on the frame
Disconnect the air line, the sensor and air suspension strut (top only)
Unbolt the ball joint. May need to wack the joint with a pickle fork. Only use a pickle fork if you are NOT reusing the joint
Unbolt the two upper control arm pivots and remove
Remove the upper control arm

Reverse process to install new arm

Again, because of climate there is no rusty fasteners that I deal with. And at the mid point I clean everything and treat all of the rubber and plastic that I can reach. After changing out the right side there was NO difference in steering and no abnormal tire wear after driving for a month. So, I did not get an alignment. Good thing as I will likely get an alignment after I change out the left side this fall.

Action

 

[oktowncar]

Hi everyone. So my 2004 Signature with 240k is in need of upper ball joints badly since I noticed the clunking on bumps and inspecting at them during an oil change the other day because the rubber seals are torn. I bought upper control arms a few months ago and I was wondering how hard of a job it is to replace them. I have watched a few YT videos and I can't decide if I want to take this on. Can this be done in an afternoon in my driveway? Any special tools needed? I would appreciate any info as I am planning on not driving the car until the upper ball joints get replaced.

If your uppers are worn then your lowers shouldn't be far behind. I would do a complete front-end rebuild of uppers/lowers, etc.
Rockauto lists complete kits.

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[simmer71]

If it is like my 06 Navigator, it is not difficult.
I changed the right side of my Navigator about a year or so ago when I discovered a torn boot.
About a month ago I found the left boot torn. The joint is not loose yet and I have the replacement. With daytime high temps in triple digit and nigh time lows in the 90s, I am waiting a few months to do the left side.

I am in Phoenix. Hardly rains so moisture does not really splash around and get past the cut bott much. So waiting is not that big of a deal.

R&R - from memory
Shut down the air compressor, jack up the vehicle and remove wheel after putting stands on the frame
Disconnect the air line, the sensor and air suspension strut (top only)
Unbolt the ball joint. May need to wack the joint with a pickle fork. Only use a pickle fork if you are NOT reusing the joint
Unbolt the two upper control arm pivots and remove
Remove the upper control arm

Reverse process to install new arm

Again, because of climate there is no rusty fasteners that I deal with. And at the mid point I clean everything and treat all of the rubber and plastic that I can reach. After changing out the right side there was NO difference in steering and no abnormal tire wear after driving for a month. So, I did not get an alignment. Good thing as I will likely get an alignment after I change out the left side this fall.

Action

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like a fairly simple job. Probably the hardest part would be trying to break everything loose.

 

[simmer71]

If your uppers are worn then your lowers shouldn't be far behind. I would do a complete front-end rebuild of uppers/lowers, etc.
Rockauto lists complete kits.

Thanks for the reply. I actually bought the lower control arms shortly after I bought the upper control arms. I am planning on changing them soon along with the stabilizer end links as well.

 

[Action]

Yeah depending on the environment. I am guessing Cars and trucks don't rust that much in Missouri.
Just a guess.

Action

 

[Norms1stTC]

Thanks for the reply. I actually bought the lower control arms shortly after I bought the upper control arms. I am planning on changing them soon along with the stabilizer end links as well.

Might as well do new shocks, springs , ball joints , tie rods, inner and outer, and pitman and idler arm while you're under there. You'll have a complete brand new suspension up front and all you'll need is an alignment after you're done.

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