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Ball joint issue? How do I replace them?

Tiny
MARKE21
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 FORD FOCUS
  • 75,000 MILES
Hello,

I hit my rear off side wheel on a curb yesterday and now the wheel is bent in at the bottom and sticking out at the top. What has bent/ broken to cause this?

Thanks
Saturday, September 22nd, 2012 AT 4:54 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
MASTER ASE TECH
  • MEMBER
  • 82 POSTS
On the Ford Focus there is no ball joints in the rear, only control arms.

So I suspect you either bent the wheel or the lower control arm is bent.

The best thing to do is lift the rear of the vehicle and lay on the ground and compare each side to each other. Clearly the other side is not going to have any damage so you have a known good part to look at so you can tell if something is bent.

Here is a guide on how to lift the vehicle safely.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

I suspect the rear control arm is bent so I attached the process on how to replace it. Please run through this and let me know if you have questions. Thanks
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Monday, July 19th, 2021 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

Most likely one of the arms in the rear at the wheel has failed. It most likely is bent from the impact.

You need to replace the wheel to start.

I attached pictures of the parts that are common to fail and the procedures for replacing them.

Roy
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Monday, July 19th, 2021 AT 3:57 PM

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