Originally posted by stingray454:
Does the fact that other cars have riveted ball joints make it right? That's like saying if someone else jumps off a bridge, then it must be OK.
The way you state it, Ford did this intentionally just to piss off the shade-tree mechanic. My point is that this is a well used design with a long history of use by both Ford and many other vehicle manufacturers. Get over it.
Look - the fact is ball joints are normal wear and tear items on the front suspension that are sometimes replaced on high mileage cars, as they simply wear out. Ford knew they would be replaced eventually by an owner, and chose to ignore that fact and go with the cost cutting solution and rivet them on. Probably saved them a dime per car over using bolts.
As did every other vehicle manufacturer over the last 80+ years or so who has used this design... I'm not saying that I like the design either, but don't blame Ford for trying to frustrate you...
I'm well aware I can drill the rivets out. My point is I shouldn't have to do this. Ford should have used bolts - no excuses. The other thing is I don't need new ball joints - I need new control arms! The ball joints are fine!
So go buy another make of vehicle. It's likely that you will end up with design quirks such as this or similar...
I like the Contour very much. However, as far as ease of maintenance and repairs go for the do-it-yourselfer, the car leaves a lot to be desired. Hell, ask any mechanic who has worked on a Contour. They will tell you that without question, the car is a major PITA to work on. Fortunately, my car has not needed many repairs.
I can think of a lot of other cars that are much worse. Most of the foreign cars these days are a nightmare for someone with large hands, such as myself. Ever try to change the firewall side spark plugs on any FWD 3.1L GM V6? lol, talk about PITA. And that is a part that you are more likely to change than control arms. Remember the Boss 429s? You had to remove the headers to change those spark plugs, IIRC. Try changing the water pump on that same 3.1L GM V6 (there is one bolt that you cannot remove until you take the power steering pump off, and to do that you need to raise the vehicle off the ground on a lift to get the proper leverage).
How about most Chrysler products? Engine components such as the EGR valve and starter motor are routinely buried so deep in the engine that you have to disassemble most of it to get to the part in question.
Yes, the alternator design on the Contour is very poor for it's location and replacement proceedure. There are other quirks too, but I would rather work on this car than most others out there.
