Ball Joints for a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria P71 (Police Interceptor)?

Question

I just bought a 2003 Ford Crown VIctoria P71 (Police Interceptor edition) and I need the lower ball joints replaced, and one of the upper ball joints replaced.

No one seems to know where I can find some after market parts for this.

What mechanics are telling me is that Ford stopped making just the ball joints and now I have to buy the entire control arm for the parts I need.

My control arms are good, is it possible just to replace the ball joints if I found a place that had them available?

And if so where could I find them?

So far the quotes I have range from 900 to 1020.08 with $693.00 going toward the control arms.

I am assuming that just getting the two lower ball joints and the one upper ball joint is cheaper than paying for control arms that I dont need.

Also, for the Police Interceptor I was told that the Upper ball joints I could use just the regular Crown Victoria parts but for the Lower Ball joints I need more expensive heavy duty parts.
Is that true?

I need to get this done because the car is really really hard to steer and I think it is because of the ball joints.

The Power Steering fluid is fine.

But I can't afford an extra 500 dollars for parts that I dont need.

Can I just replace the ball joints?

Do I need Special heavy duty lower ball joints for the Police Interceptor?

If I can just replace the ball joints where can I find them?

Answer 1

Go to as many auto garages as you possibly can.

Most garages will beat your lowest estimate by atleast a few bucks.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

First off it sounds like you are putting the horse before the cart. Take the car to a front-end specialests. Have them inspect and advise you on the condition of the front suspension including the steering. This should not cost more than $50. for the safety inspection. You say that you have quotes from $900-1020. These quotes sound very reasonable if they are replacing the upper and lower control arms on both sides and aligning the front end when they are done. Remember they are having to go to the same place to get their parts-- the dealership -- so the lower prices are probally saving you money on the labor.

Depending upon what they find then decide what you want to do. The fact that it steers hard is not likely to be ball joints. Ball joints will make the steering feel loose and wobbly, and when braking it will want to pull left or right or maybe both left and right.

If the inspection finds suspension parts are worn such as bushing, ball joints or tie-rod ends I would check with a good parts house such as NAPA. They will have access to all the suspension parts supplied in the aftermarket. The bushings, ball joints and tie-rod ends are most likely available from Moog and TRW since they are usually the OEM supplier to most all of the major auto manufactures.

As for the type of ball joints, upper and lower, follow the MOOG or TRW recommendation for your specific vehicle. Take the VIN number and date of manufacture in with you as some changes are made mid year.

TRW part numbers for Upper Control arm w/ball joint are:
Left side 10915, Right side 10914 Cost about $90. each
The Lower Control arms are dealer only items. And yes it is true that you need the special heavy duty suspension parts for your Crown Vic PI

So that you understand why the Upper and Lower control arms are sold only complete with the ball joint and not just the ball joint seperately is that the control arms are now forged and not stamped metal. The ball joints are press fitted into the forged control arms in a different manner than the older stamped metal arms. There is some give in the older style but not in the newer forged control arms. It is very easy to crack the forged arms which could cause a major accident.

If it inspection finds that the problem is in the steering then find the proper PS rack for your car thru the same parts supplier like NAPA also.

Answer 4

2003 Ford Crown Victoria Parts

Answer 5

I used to work behind the parts counter of a Ford dealership and a control arm for a Crown Vic is pricey - especially for police packages.

A Ford dealer in an area populated by taxis would have one in stock - the part should not be more than $200 if I recall correctly. With labor - not more than $500.

According to:
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/19/031916c0.html
There were no recall notices or TSB's for faulty ball joints on 2003 Crown Vics. To view the report, you need to have a subscription.

Answer 6

Don't worry, there are hundreds of thousands of these cars around, it will be easy to find one at any time in the foreseeable future. If you can't get a P71 then you can opt for a civy model with the Handling/Performance Package. The HPP has most of the Interceptor bits, like dual exhaust, HD torque converter, 3.27 gears, transmission cooler, HD suspension ,etc. Contrary to popular belief there is no special "chip" or anything. The P71's have the same amount of power as the Civy HPP model. The P71 does have the governor raised to about 130 MPH Vs. 107 for the civy model, because the P71 has a composite driveshaft and the civy model has a standard steel driveshaft that tends to vibrate alot at triple digit speeds.

Answer 7

If it is hard to turn the steering wheel you have a problem in the power steering system not the ball joints. Have the steering system checked, possible bad pump or rack and pinion problem. If purchased from Ford both the upper and lower ball joints will come only with the complete control arm assemblies.

Answer 8

Control arms with the ball joints ans seals assembled will cost you $70.00 a piece so the parts cost for all 4 control arms with balljoints will cost $280.00 plus shipping.
The cost is the same for either the regular control arms or the ones for heavy duty sunspension.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

They come only in the control arm that I know of, sorry