Below are some pictures of using a balljoint press kit from autozone to install a new lower balljoint into the driver's side lower control arm of a 1997 ford crown victoria police interceptor.



Ball Joint Press OEM #27023









Pressing the old balljoint out of the control arm.

NOTE: If the suspension spring is still installed, do not support the lower control arm under the corner as shown. Instead support the lower control arm under the center where the shock absorber would normally be mounted.



NOTE: If the suspension spring is still installed, do not support the lower control arm under the corner as shown. Instead support the lower control arm under the center where the shock absorber would normally be mounted.



The old balljoint removed from the control arm

NOTE: If the suspension spring is still installed, do not support the lower control arm under the corner as shown. Instead support the lower control arm under the center where the shock absorber would normally be mounted.



The new balljoint being pressed in

NOTE: If the suspension spring is still installed, do not support the lower control arm under the corner as shown. Instead support the lower control arm under the center where the shock absorber would normally be mounted.



NOTE: If the suspension spring is still installed, do not support the lower control arm under the corner as shown. Instead support the lower control arm under the center where the shock absorber would normally be mounted.



You don't have to remove the suspension spring to replace the lower balljoint, but in this case new lower control arm->frame bushings were being installed

NOTE: This picture of a spring being held in between the lower control arm and frame spring perch was taken for reference purposes only. When compressing the spring, do not support the lower control arm under the corner as shown. Instead support the lower control arm under the center where the shock absorber would normally be mounted.



Now the spindle is reinstalled





And the new wheel bearing placed onto to the steering knuckle



Now lets reinstall the brake rotor and brake caliper bracket



Now it's time to reinstall the remaining parts and place the tires back on the vehicle. And finally tighten up the lower control arm bushing->frame bolts.



Here are a few pictures of lower balljoints for 1995-2002 crown victorias. On the left is an aftermarket Napa Chassis Parts (NCP) balljoint. On the right is an Original Equipment (OE) Ford Motorcraft lubed-for-life unit.











And a closeup of the grease overflow valve in the protective boot of the aftermarket napa unit.



The napa chassis balljoints use nuts that physically deform around the threads to lock in place instead of the castellated nut/cotterpin setup or adhesive backed nut setup that you'll find on some other balljoints. To install the nut onto the balljoint stud, the stud must remain stationary while the nut is tightened. Here is a balljoint press being used without the upper reciever cup installed so that the underside of the balljoint is lightly pressed against the steering knuckle. A ratchet with the appropriate sized socket then can tighten the nut down without the tapered stud of the balljoint spinning around in the spindle.



The front suspension spring is under immense load, so make sure to use appropriate safety measures when dealing with the front suspension spring tension. The front suspension spring can release large amounts of energy very quickly and can cause serious injury or death in a hurry.



If you do not feel comfortable safely working around the force that a monstrous front suspension spring can exert, then bring your car to a professional repair shop and let someone that does this type of work for a living do the job for you.