2000 -04 ford escape lower control arm / balljoint

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[@manyogurt4645]

Great vid. Nice to see it done from a jack perspective since 99.9% of DIYers don't have lifts.

[@themechanic6117]

Definitely 👍

[@feelthepayne88]

Great video! Only thing I would add is that I torqued my lug nuts to 100ft/lb and they came loose on me. I had to go to 150ft/lbs and they stayed tight after that. YMMV.

[@omarpeters1996]

Me & my wonderful dad, God bless him. We have to put one on my mothers 06 escape. Bless you mom. this helped. We already do a little mechanic work on the family vehicles. Thanx to the guy that made this video. Bless you young man,..

[@richardboyer1866]

Thank you for the video,,,i think not too many people owns these vehicules anymore,,,but i do,,,the bolt order info was great,,and it worked pretty well,,,as the last comment mentions, from RonBo, taking the measurement from spindle bolt to the fender is a great tip so the rubber will not be xtra streched when the car is drop down in normal position,,,this is for tighting the 3rd bolt

[@Ronbo765]

Nice Job. People can measure from the spindle bolt to the fender before they start the job and then jack up the control arm to that height before tightening the bolts.

[@thegreatpatsy]

That digital torque wrench adapter is the coolest thing I've ever seen! I want one!

[@themechanic6117]

They're pretty useful

[@williamcapps6120]

serious thanks man, going out in the field on a sunday evening and you told me exactly what tools to bring. super awesome of you to put the tool sizes in the video!

[@themechanic6117]

You're welcome. Be sure to check the updated torque specs in the comments section

[@timdurham7917]

Just finished my driver's side your video was a huge help and also thank you for the torque specs

[@themechanic6117]

Great! Glad you got it done.thanks for watching

[@scottbrown3240]

Thanks for the video, I think my 2003 will be needing one of these soon enough. Another viewer commented about ride height and you said just put the vehicle on the ground before tightening up the bolts. So just to verify, I would put the tire back on, drop the jack and then torque those two bolts on the frame side of the control arm...I'm not the best mechanic by any means but I am poor so I need to learn all I can for the DIY jobs. Thanks again.

[@themechanic6117]

+Scott Brown yes ,you got it correct. Leave the bolts loose for the lower control on to the subframe, tighten everything else.put the wheel back on tighten your lug nuts and with the truck on the ground you can tighten the last bolts for the lower control arm.

[@unclefreddieDied]

2003 the torque specs are a tiny bit different

[@genericusername1365]

Thanks for pinning the correct torque specs and for the video.

[@themechanic6117]

No problem. Thanks for watching 👍

[@bch197575]

I am getting ready to change the lower control arm on my 2005 escape and this video will be a huge help. Thanks again!!👍

[@themechanic6117]

You're welcome.check the comments for updated torque specs

[@davidbruce3633]

Found your video just in time for my repair. Nice walk thru that will be a big help. Well done, Thanks !

[@themechanic6117]

+David Bruce you're welcome, be sure to check the comment section for the updated torque specs so you dont break a bolt. Thanks for watching.

[@justinwoodford6698]

Thanks a ton. One of the best mechanic videos I've seen.

[@themechanic6117]

Thanks for watching

[@carolhowerton8536]

Great video easy to follow

[@CHIBA280CRV]

Fantastic 👍

[@ToxicBigRig]

yea great job and video, I am so tired of working on my 03 but this will help a lot. Thanks man.

[@york57]

This is the best video I have ever seen for replacing the control arm. . Great video and explanation on how to. Thank you

[@themechanic6117]

Thank you for watching.check the pinned comment for updated torque specs

[@york57]

The mech a nic Like you said I was able to remove the 2 of the 3 bolts. I'm stuck on the 1 that you said would be the toughest . I lifted the ball joint side up some to relieve pressure but it's not turning out to easy. I wonder if I should pop it out of the the wheel side where I removed the bolt? Do you think that would remove some of the pressure. I'm sort of stuck in one position haha

[@themechanic6117]

Yes,remove the balljoint end because you're fighting against the suspension and cv shaft. Once you get that side out you should be able to pry out the last part. Sorry I misread your comment. Don't force the bolt out or you may break something. If it starts to move a little then run it back in the out again. Sometimes running a fastener in then out multiple times is what helps free it

[@lancefranklin505]

Great video, im gonna replace my mother in law’s control arm on her 2003 Escape

[@rockycowart2446]

Very informative video, thanks!!

[@themechanic6117]

Thanks for watching. Read the pinned comment for updated torque specs

[@nyrvg]

Great vid

[@themechanic6117]

Thank you!

[@kadkars2753]

Thanks! Excellent video

[@themechanic6117]

Thank you

[@jessekozma8213]

Thanks mate! Great job on this video 👍

[@themechanic6117]

Thanks for watching

[@StevehBe]

Great video, thanks for sharing! And of course, I will make sure to have my BFH ready ! 😂

[@themechanic6117]

Thanks for watching

[@MrJmac509]

Great video!

[@themechanic6117]

Thank you

[@uaschcats]

Thanks....very helpful!

[@themechanic6117]

+uaschcats you're welcome ,thanks for watching. Torque spec were updated in comment section

[@johnmclaren7059]

Awesome video , also fordtechmakuloco shows how to measurement! Also it’s highly recommended to take your vehicle in after for a wheel alignment!

[@eugenecantu2168]

Awesome video

[@themechanic6117]

Thank you

[@eugenecantu2168]

You're welcome. Where did you purchase the control arm?

[@jglaboratory]

Thanks man. My escape keeps killing tires and this looks pretty simple after replacing all the cats and water pump. 02 v6 xlt escape.love her. This will be my next weekend fix

[@themechanic6117]

Nice! Be sure to check the pinned comment for the correct torque specs

[@jglaboratory]

@@themechanic6117 ty. I have a complete tear down book on her.first thing I buy with every car I get

[@oOoOKylinaOoOo]

@@jglaboratory what is a tear down book? I am new to fixing cars and this sounds helpful.

[@jglaboratory]

@@oOoOKylinaOoOo its the manual from parts store. a 20$ book from napa or auto zone that shows how everything is tore down and replaced. a youtube video will help aid the visual. its not that bad of a part to change.

[@oOoOKylinaOoOo]

@@jglaboratory got it, thanks!

[@hectormaldonado1091]

Thank you. What’s the cross member for going from control arm to the other side control arm?

[@RealJayGladney]

There was a lot of play in that ball joint. My escape is pulling to one side after I hit bumps. I think I need to do this ASAP

[@themechanic6117]

Definitely get it replaced👍

[@kirkd.2997]

It's nice to see someone actually know the torque specifications and use them. Most shops I see just tighten everything with the impact and move on! Where are you located and how much would you charge for this job if I supplied the parts?

[@themechanic6117]

Kirk Doty I'm in calumet city IL . I would imagine most of my viewers aren't nearby . most of my customer's are local.

[@themechanic6117]

+The mech a nic thanks for the comment. Although I did get two torque specs mixed up due to bad info on the internet. I did address this in the comment section.its pinned. If you're nearby I won't mind working on your car. Thanks for watching.

[@kirkd.2997]

Lol, yeah you are 4 hours away from me. Thanks for the video!

[@themechanic6117]

+Kirk Doty lol I figured. Thanks for watching.if you end up doing this job yourself be sure to check the updated torque specs in the comment section.

[@Ronbo765]

Question. I can’t get that last horizontal bolt to engage the threaded hole. Must be slightly misaligned. Any tips?

[@themechanic6117]

Just keep moving things around to get it aligned, try using the floor jack to move the suspension up n down.it might help

[@EXOVCDS]

Great use of animation! LOL... Nooo!

[@themechanic6117]

Thomas EXOVCDS thanks! with some humor and using a BFH any video can be great ! lol

[@bcuzz5623]

Great video...thanks! I screwed up the bolts...do you know the part numbers or specifications? Hopefully auto zone has them?

[@themechanic6117]

+B Cuzz which bolts?

[@bcuzz5623]

Front lower control arm and the rear control arm and the pinch bolt & nut. Thanks for your rapid response!

[@themechanic6117]

+B Cuzz those bolts can get really expensive from the dealer.i once paid $30 for a bolt and nut. Your best bet is the junk yard .

[@mattr8287]

The mech a nic, great video, and mostly great advice. I do not recommend going to a junkyard for anything having to do with this nightmare project. The bolts for these control arms are pretty problematic, save yourself the hassle and aggravation and buy new bolts lol. Right now I am battling this project and losing badly. The front bolt (horizontal) snapped while removing. Do you happen to know what size and thread that bolt is? Its the 1 that requires a 15mm socket or wrench.

[@themechanic6117]

Sure a new bolt is recommended but they can be expensive. The junk yard is a cheap alternative. Sorry to hear that,I hope it works out !

[@kennethbasham5438]

My 2003 Escape has this exact tire wear. Will i need to have an alignment done after i replace the lower control arm? It doesn't seem to have any adjustments for Camber on the arms.. just has toe from the tie rods.. right?

[@BigDaddyJinx]

Camber bolts are a thing. Shop around for one at your local auto parts store. I know of no models that don't have camber bolts available. This is how you'd adjust the camber. Toe, as you correctly stated, is adjusted with tie rods and ends.

[@mpcaz]

Didn't you just guarantee that the rubber bushing will tear when the vehicle is lowered to ride height and the arm rotates and the bushing stays secured in the old position? I was taught to measure your ride height from the center of the axle to the bottom of the fender and then use a jack to set it back to that position before tightening the bolts. It would seem to me that doing it this way when the control arm is raised up when the vehicle is lowered, any further upward movement will twist the rubber bushing even more. Was I told wrong?

[@themechanic6117]

Matthew Caswell you are correct. at the 6:15 Mark I said to "load" the suspension with the floor jack .Which is the same as you stated about measuring. so I did do it correctly .I just didn't get the floor jack holding up the control arm in the frame while I was recording.

[@mpcaz]

I stand corrected.. Not sure how I missed it unless its because you didn't show that step. Hopefully even though my comment is wrong, someone will see your answer and make sure they do it right.

[@themechanic6117]

+Matthew Caswell no problem, I should have did a better job at showing the floor jack holding up the lower control arm while tightening the bolt . Thanks for commenting, it will help clear things up for other people. Thanks for watching.

[@BigDaddyJinx]

As long as the two bolts out of the knuckle are hand tightened and not secured, when you rest the vehicle back on it's tires under its own weight, the bushings are not secured either so then this is the time when you torque them to spec. The error occurs when you tighten the bolts outside the knuckle first, torque them, and then lower the vehicle and tighten them again. Seat the bolts. Do not secure them or torque them. You won't thrash the bushings that way when you get it to ride height.

[@TheESTUDIO98]

Hey, do you have any idea what’s the problem with my 01 Escape? This is what’s doing, when I unplug the top hose from egr works fine but when I plug it back on, starts to act like having hiccups until almost shut off like can’t breathe. I replaced the egr, solenoid, and the dpfe sensor but nothing works where you thing it’s clogged

[@Seniormage]

Look for leaks on the EGR line. I had the same issue, it was a small leak on a crease.

[@joehyundaitech7961]

I like the ac delco torque tool where can i buy one ?

[@themechanic6117]

Check ebay and Amazon 👍

[@teeraaw141]

If someone can tell me which control arm do i need if im replacing the passenger side??

[@themechanic6117]

The right side control arm is the passenger side

[@marckalarcon910]

Hi i have a 2008 ford escape, im about to replace front lower control arm too. It should be the same procedure. But is it necessary to do a ride height first? Or no?

[@themechanic6117]

+Marck Alarcon no the right height is set by your strut and spring. For the most part it shoild be the same procedure ,Just make sure the truck is on the ground before you tighten the lower control arm bolts .

[@mpcaz]

or measure it and then use a floor jack on the control arm to get the same measurement as it was when it was sitting on the tires. Doing it this way makes it easier to get to the bolts to do the final torque instead of working around the tire.

[@themechanic6117]

Matthew Caswell yes by tightening the bolts while the vehicle is on the ground or doing the measuring procedure gets you the same results.

[@jimmmmmypokemonplug206]

How much do you charge for this?

[@onishauhdonald8871]

What will make my steering wheel pop when turning in cause play in wheel

[@themechanic6117]

Damaged cv axle or steering shaft joint

[@LiezerZero]

I stripped the head on both the passenger and driver side horizontal bolts and they are too rusted to tell what they are.. Can anyone tell me where to get replacements? I had to cut apart both control arms with an angle grinder to get to the bolt just to cut it out as well.. Both vertical bolts came out fine. Now I just need replacement horizontal bolts.

[@themechanic6117]

Dealer or go to the junk yard

[@tjjamison1736]

Think I'm screwed. The Lower ball joint bolt with the nut and jaws is fu**ed up. the bolt side is completely rounded but the nut came off on the left side. I've tried pb blaster, heat, etc. that bolt will not budge

[@BigDaddyJinx]

So the bolt end is rounded off but the nut managed to come off? Then I'd say just get a punch and punch the bolt out. If we're talking about the pinch bolt at the ball joint? As long as the nut came off there's nothing stopping you from punching the bolt out. Have you tried that?

[@spectrax2428]

Can one side make both tires cambered?

[@themechanic6117]

No but one bad side can effect the tires on each side

[@marckalarcon910]

How do you remove the rear bolt that easily? Im having a hard time removing mine, and i'd been spraying lots of penetrating oil. And im afraid if i forced it, the head bolt might break off.

[@themechanic6117]

+Marck Alarcon the bolt holding the lower control arm?

[@themechanic6117]

Marck Alarcon are you using a breaker bar? Since that rear bolt goes into the body there isn't much to do besides pure force. An impact gun really helps in this situation.

[@marckalarcon910]

Yes the 21 mm bolt is stuck and im having a hard time removing it

[@marckalarcon910]

The mech a nic i even used the breaker bar and an impact still nothing

[@themechanic6117]

+Marck Alarcon the other day I used a pipe on a breaker bar to get a 22mm off. I had about 5 ft of leverage and the bolt didn't break. It came out slowly but it came off.

[@abelvalle6188]

Can anyone educate a noobie like me-whats the red doohicky used to get more accurate torque specs

[@themechanic6117]

Its the AC delco torque box

[@vag4lvevo22]

is 350 labor cost good? cause Im about to do this job to someone.

[@themechanic6117]

For one control arm?

[@vag4lvevo22]

@@themechanic6117 no for both.

[@themechanic6117]

Seems a bit high for two control arms but if they're going to pay you that Amount . I'd take that job

[@vag4lvevo22]

@@themechanic6117 she ask me how much im going to charge her. I told her I don’t know cause I don’t want to rip you off and i Don’t want to rip me off also. So i told her that i was going to look it up and then let her know. So how much do you think?

[@themechanic6117]

I'd charge $80 for each arm. So $160 total. With the right tools it's a pretty fast job