I replaced the upper control arms on my Ford F150 after a mechanic friend of mine pointed out that they (and the lowers) were completely shot. I noticed during the replacement that the arms seemed fine, just that the ball joint was, as predicted, junk. I am wanting to take care of the lowers as well but I am wondering if it is worth replacing the whole thing or should I be fine just replacing the ball joints? I do not think I saw anything to compress the shocks at DMS but I am THINK I saw a set of tools for pressing a new ball joint (although I might be completely wrong on that) so that would definitely be a point towards only replacing the ball joints but I am not sure if that is a good idea.
There is a set of coil spring compressing units on the gray shelves, it may be in a plastic box and in a light gray plastic case there are the tools for removing and seating ball joints.
What year? I suspect you only need the spring compressor to replace the shock, not to replace the A arm or ball joint. Trying to remember the details, but you might have to pull the upper again to do the lower, but I can’t remember exactly what was interfering on my 05.
The real question on just ball joints or full A arm, is how old, and what condition are the rubber bushings in? I probably should have researched if those bushings can be replaced, or just gone with the complete arm, given the age of the rubber on mine.
I know the job doesnt always warrant it, but anytime I have to replace one set, I try to replace bot the uppers and lowers with poly bushings as well as the ball joints. Most times, while you’re in there, you can get the uppers and lowers done in roughly the same amount of time.
We do have the tools to get the job done. The hydraulic press may need a bit of fidgeting to get things pressed out and in.
Poly bushes are the great Satan of daily driver trucks. They last 20-30K for the good ones, and God help you if you ask them for any heavy articulation. Cheap ones shred like cardboard.