I know my 2000 S Type needs new ball joints and everything I have readin these forums suggests that you MUST buy the entire control arm at upwards of $500 each, which is simply not practical regardless of money or love of the car.

Yet doing a search on Amazon for grins I find this


Which purports to be a ball joint that will fit my 2000 for a measly $27.00 each (assuming my control arms are good)... WTF? Surely I am missing something here or these will lead to my death on the highway... right?

Also found control arms for under $100... can this be right?



Would love for someone to set me straight on what I need exactly.

Thanks and sorry for all the new owner questions.

 

"URO" parts in general don't have the best reputation. IMHO you're right to be wary.

Between $500 control arms and $30 URO ball joints I'm pretty sure there are some other choices.

Take this only on a "FWIW" basis as I have no direct experience with the trials and tribulations of S-Type ball joints.

Others will chime in


Cheers
DD

 

I think you need to read more carefully!! This has been documented many times before.

You have an early 2000-2002 S Type. On those cars the lower ball joint is available separately.

On the face lifted cars 2003-2008 model years the lower ball joint is NOT available separately. Now the control arms all have ball joints that can be pressed out and in. However Jaguar does not recommend this and you will never get anything but the complete arm assembly from Jaguar.

Your car is identical to the early 2000-2002 Lincoln LS suspension. So be sure and check for Lincoln LS lower ball joints too. There are two different stud sizes but since you have a 2000 yours will be the smaller 14mm shaft. This was upgraded by Jaguar/Ford sometime in 2002 to a stronger 16mm shaft.

You are also confused about lower and upper control arms. The lower control arm and ball joint carry most of the weight of the car and will almost always wear out first. The upper ball joints usually just tear up the rubber boots so all the grease leaks out and dirt and water get in. Not good!

For your car if you want to change the upper control arms you need to buy the entire control arm.

How do you know what needs to be replaced? At this late time I would guess you really need to replace most of the suspension on your 2000. Sway bar end links, Front and rear tie rods ends, steering rack, Upper and lower control arms and/or ball joints.

Get under the car and inspect. Maybe someone has replaced one or more of these parts already.

Your car is known for suspension clunks caused by the front sway bar bushings. Do you have this noise?

The URO brand is not the best but many, many Lincoln LS guys are using them. There have been reports of them wearing out early but others have had no problems.
For the low price I would use them.
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Don't go with the URO ball joints - both of my replacements were crap between 12 - 16 months.