1995-2002 Lincoln Continental ball joint replacement problems issue install removal Taurus Sable

INSTRUCTIONS/TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS/PARTS PURCHASED/BRAND TOOLS USED/RENTED/PURCHASED:

Since I had pb plaster lying around, I sprayed it on ball joints. Then let it set overnight. I'm not sure if it helped with removal. As I used this stuff on some tranny bolts. But it didn't help.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Remove wheel axle nut
2. Turn off truck mounted suspension switch (Lincoln Continentals only)
3. Jack up vehicle high enough for ball joint tool to clear ground
4. Secure with jack stand
5. Disconnect Height sensor (Lincoln Continentals only)
6. Remove tie rod end from knuckle (use pitman arm puller)
7. Remove ball joint (use pitman arm puller)
8. Use pry bar between knuckle and control arm to separate ball joint from control arm
9. If replacing sway bars, remove those
10. Use front wheel drive hub puller to push out axle and move out your way (no need to remove from transmission)
11. Remove snap ring from old ball joint
12. Use Ford Taurus ball joint kit and ball joint tool with a long breaker bar to remove old ball joint

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Clean ball joint hole with brake cleaner
2. Inspect new ball joint boot (make sure there are no pinhole leaks)
3. Install new ball joint in clean hole (I installed it dry. I did not lubricate hole or ball joint)
4. Use Ford Taurus ball joint kit and ball joint tool with a long breaker bar to install new ball joint
5. Install new snap ring
6. Install all other parts
7. MAKE CERTAIN TO INSTALL NEW AXLE NUT WITH EXISTING WASHER. DO NOT USE OLD AXLE NUT. IT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR SUBSEQUENT TORQUE SETTING. IT WILL NOT HOLD, WILL LOSE TORQUE SETTING, AND MAY COME OFF DOWN THE ROAD. ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO INSTALL OLD WASHER BEHIND NEW AXLE NUT. WASHER MUST BE INSTALLED.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (according to Lincoln Continental factory service manual):

Ball joint nut 50-67 Lb/Ft
Sway bar top nut to strut 57-75 Lb/Ft
Sway bar bottom nut to stabilizer bar 35-47 Lb/Ft
Tie rod end nut to knuckle 23-34 Lb/Ft
Wheel lug nuts (install in star direction) 85-105 Lb/Ft
Wheel axle nut 188-254 Lb/Ft

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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++BRAND TORQUE WRENCHES AND TYPE USED:

ALL NON-AXLE NUT torque specs were set using 3/8" and 1/2" Pittsburgh brand (Harbor Freight) torque wrenches

Axle nut torque specs were set using 27043 OEM (rental torque wrench)

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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++BRAND TOOLS USED:

Pittsburgh pro ratchets and breaker bar
Craftsman and Pittsburgh sockets and wrenches
Pittsburgh jack
Big Red jack stand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++PARTS PURCHASED:

K8687 Moog Ball joint (https://www.rockauto.com under suspension category)
K8734 (left) and K8735 (right) Moog Sway (stabilizer) bar links (https://www.rockauto.com under steering category)
615189 Dorman Spindle nut (https://www.rockauto.com under brake and wheel hub category)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++SPECIALTY TOOLS PURCHASED:

60531 Snap Ring Pliers (https://www.harborfreight.com/snap-ri...)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++SPECIALTY TOOLS USED:

69281 24" pry bar (https://www.harborfreight.com/4-pc-he...)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++CLEANER USED:

1 can of crc brakleen (red bottle or green bottle) from a local Autozone

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++TOWEL USED:

63358 Microfiber (https://www.harborfreight.com/microfi...)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++RENTAL TOOLS USED (All from a local Autozone):

27183 OEM Ford Taurus Ball Joint Set
27937 OEM Front Wheel Drive Hub Puller
27016 OEM Pitman Arm Puller
27028 OEM Ball Joint/U-Joint Press Set
27053 OEM 30mm Axle Nut Deep Socket
27043 OEM 1/2" Drive Torque Wrench