2011-2019 Ford Explorer Control Arm Replacement

How to replace the lower control arm assembly on a 2011 thru 2019 Ford Explorer. Thanks to rust, the knuckle had to be removed, so I get to show you the pretty much worst case scenario on this job.
The procedure here is nearly identical on the Ford Taurus of similar model years.
11-19 Explorer Tie Rod Replacement - • 2011-2019 Ford Explore...
11-19 Explorer Sway Bar Link and Bushing Replacement - • 2011-2019 Ford Explore...
Music by Karl Casey ‪@WhiteBatAudio‬ , Song - Plague Rat

[@darkhorseautoanddiesel]

I forgot to mention in the video that if you had to remove the knuckle, and because of that, the brake calipers, make sure you pump your brakes before you put the vehicle in gear, otherwise you may end up going through the wall or the door. Don't push the pedal all the way to the floor in the process. Depending on the age and mileage of the vehicle, you may end up replacing the master cylinder shortly after if you do.

[@randallmahony6743]

Good video. Thanks for doing this. Love the dry humor as well.

[@TheReeho]

Just tackled this job last night and that bolt costed my sanity for HOURS ! I just put the wheel back on and parked the shitter in the garage lol
Today we go back with some metal blades and give it a go!

[@darkhorseautoanddiesel]

The ball joint? Or the tie rod? 🤣
How did it end for you?

[@TheReeho]

@@darkhorseautoanddiesel Ball joint, had to cut off the bolt with my grinder. Worked better than I thought! Smooth sailing after that.

[@samuelgonzalez11]

your a life saver buddy thanks a lot

[@darkhorseautoanddiesel]

You're welcome, I'm glad the video helped!

[@calibercutlawncareservice4691]

Or put some PB Blaster on it

[@joesshed215]

Had to heat the heck out of my tie rod nut. Still tough to get off. Ford and their 2 mm pitch bolts don’t help. Good video.

[@calibercutlawncareservice4691]

If you can’t get it to stick put a jack under to put pressure on it guarantee that will work…the ball joint will sit right in there and u can take it offf with impact or ratchet 4 sure

[@robertogomezramirez8804]

salud!

[@bcampbell4880]

Ha! 20:52 where's the hole? Gotta have some mechanic humor somewhere. I appreciate the steps shown here i'm sizing up a job myself like this and i'm kinda wishing I had an impact wrench

[@darkhorseautoanddiesel]

Haha I try (and probably mostly fail) at adding a little bit of humor to my videos, rather than the typical dry, boring how to videos.
If you plan on doing any level of DIY maintenance and repairs on even a single vehicle, get an impact and a set of impact sockets. Even if it is cheap ones from Harbor Freight, the hundred or 2 you spend on those tools will be worth every penny. I spent years of my earlier wrenching days refusing to drop the coin on one. After buying one I immediately realized that was dumb. I now own several of different sizes and power sources 🤣

[@andrewhawkins6374]

16:37 he's just like me 🫡

[@DJMovit]

The long bolt on mine is so rusted in place that the impact driver isn't turning it. Replace the lower arm just for the ball joint... Thanks Ford.

[@calibercutlawncareservice4691]

Turn the nut upside down so you don’t damage threads

[@timothynixonii7166]

Was that a mevotech control arm that replaced it with?

[@darkhorseautoanddiesel]

Yes it was. I had to log into my Rock Auto account to find out, but it was a Mevotech.

[@calibercutlawncareservice4691]

Or whoever worked on it last pulled the threads

[@heveymetil]

Did I miss the part about the tape measure??

[@darkhorseautoanddiesel]

That was step one in the video 🤣

[@calibercutlawncareservice4691]

If your not lucky put a jack on it then ur gonna be lucky