A Lincoln Continental ball joint works like a bearing, connecting the control arms to the wheel knuckle. These sealed bearings are subject to a great deal of stress when the Lincoln is driven under normal conditions. Environmental factors can help to speed up the wear of the ball joint, but it also depends on where the car is located. Whenever you notice any play in the ball joints you need to replace them. An example would be the ability to wiggle the wheel when it is off the ground. You can complete this project in a couple of hours and avoid separation of the ball joint while you are driving. When you replace the ball joint, you have to replace the entire wheel knuckle because the ball joint is an integral part of it.
Flip the switch off for the air suspension service. Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Lincoln. Lift the front of the vehicle using the automobile jack on the side that needs the work. Place a jack stand under the car near the jacking point and raise it to the frame of the car.
Remove the lug nuts using the lug wrench and remove the wheel from the Lincoln. Remove the brake caliper from the wheel assembly using a socket and ratchet to loosen the retaining pins. Secure the caliper to the strut using a wire tie to secure it to the strut. Do not allow it to hang by the brake hose.
Remove the brake rotor from the wheel assembly. Remove the hub retainer from the wheel axle. Disconnect the air suspension height sensor from the air suspension sensor pin. Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod end using the pliers to pull it out. Remove the castellated nut from the tie rod end using a socket and ratchet.
Remove the tie rod from the wheel knuckle. Remove the lower arm to ball joint nut and discard it because you cannot reuse it. Separate the ball joint from the lower control arm using the ball joint press. Remove the axle from the wheel knuckle. Remove the pinch bolt from the wheel knuckle using a socket and ratchet.
Disconnect the shock absorber from the wheel knuckle using a socket and ratchet. Remove the knuckle from the Continental. Put the new wheel knuckle in place of the old one. Connect it to the shock absorber and tighten the bolts with a socket and ratchet. Install the pinch bolt and tighten it with a socket and ratchet.
Insert the wheel axle into the wheel knuckle. Insert the ball joint into the lower control arm. Install the castellated nut and tighten it with a wrench. Install a cotter pin and spread it open with the pliers. Connect the tie rod to the wheel knuckle. Install the castellated nut and tighten it with a wrench. Install a cotter pin and spread it open with the pliers.
Connect the air suspension height sensor to the sensor pin. Install the hub retainer to the wheel axle. Install the brake rotor on the wheel assembly. Cut the wire tie securing the caliper to the strut/shock Absorber assembly using the pliers. Place the caliper in the mounting cradle and secure the locking pins with a socket and ratchet.
Install the wheel on the Lincoln and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Continental and lower the vehicle to the ground.
