Change ford escort 55 td van lower suspension

Lower you can do fairly easy. Upper, a bit tougher.For the upper you will need a spring compressor.

According to Autozone.com, you must replace the whole control arm. Here is their procedure:
NOTE do not begin the removal procedure unless a new strut-to-lower arm nut, a new ball joint pinch bolt/nut and a new lower arm-to-front subframe bolt/nut are available.

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   NOTE
   Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the front wheel hub and spindle.
   
   
   
   WheelsLower arm strut nut and dished washer. Discard them.
   
2. Place the steering wheel in the unlocked position.
   NOTE
   Do not allow the halfshaft to move outward. Over-extension of the halfshaft joint could result in separation of internal parts, causing failure of the halfshaft joint.
   
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   NOTE
   Use extreme care to not damage the ball joint boot seal.
   
   
   
   Lower arm ball joint nut and pinch bolt. Discard them.Lower arm from the front wheel knuckle
   
   
   
   Remove and discard the lower arm-to-front subframe bolt and nutRemove the lower arm from the vehicleTo install:
   
   1. Install or connect the following:
      
      Lower arm strut into the lower arm rear strut bushingLower arm into the front sub-frame bracketNew lower arm-to-front subframe nut and bolt. While holding the lower arm horizontal, tighten to 85-97 ft. lbs. (115-132 Nm).Ball joint stud-to-wheel hub and spindle, making sure that the ball stud groove is properly positioned.New lower arm ball joint pinch bolt and nut. Tighten to 46-52 ft. lbs. 62-71 Nm).
   2. Clean the lower arm strut threads to remove dirt and contamination.
   3. Install the dished washer with the dished side away from the lower arm rear strut bushing.
   4. Install the front suspension lower arm strut-to-strut nut and tighten to 85-97 ft. lbs. (115-142 Nm).
   5. Install the wheels.
   6. Lower the vehicle.

opper Control Arm Bushings

• To access the upper control arm, remove the shock absorber and the strut bar. Also, disconnect the sway bar from the lower control arm, if your particular Ram model is equipped with it. After that, you can hold the coil spring in place with a spring compressor.
  Secure the wheel hub assembly to the chassis using a wire before you disconnect the upper ball joint. This will prevent damage to the brake hose. When ready, release the ball joint using a ball-stud loosening tool (see Resources).
  The upper control arm mounts to the chassis with a cam bolt assembly. Once removed, you can place the control arm on a vise and remove the bushings using a bushing service tool (see Resources). When installing the new bushings, do not use any lubricant but make sure the flange on the bushing end seats properly on the arm bore. Then re-install the upper control arm. When finished, take your Dodge vehicle to a good shop to align the front suspension.
  

Lower Control Arm Bushings

• Remove the shock absorber and strut bar. If your particular model is equipped with a sway bar, disconnect it from the lower control arm.
  Secure the coil spring with a spring compressor and release the lower ball joint from the wheel/hub assembly using a ball stud loosening tool (see Resources).
  Now you can release the lower control arm by removing the rear mounting bolts. Remove the bushings with a bushing service tool (see Resources). When installing the new bushings, do not use lubricant and make sure they seat properly on the control arm bore. Then replace the lower control arm. When finished, take your Dodge vehicle to a good shop to align the front suspension
  

Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement Removal Procedure Tools Required J 43828 Ball Joint Separator

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
4. Remove the wiring harness from the lower control arm.




5. Remove the cotter pin (1) from the ball joint (3).
6. Remove the nut (4) from the ball joint (3).



Notice: Use only the recommended tools for separating the ball joint from the knuckle. Failure to use the recommended tools may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.

7. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle using the J 43828 .




8. Remove the lower control arm front (1) and rear (4) mounting bolts.
9. Remove the lower control arm (1) from the vehicle and place in a vice.
10. Drill out the 3 rivets (3) retaining the ball joint to the lower control arm (2).
Use a 3 mm (1/8 in) drill bit in order to make a pilot hole through the rivets.
Finish drilling the rivets with a 13 mm (½ in) drill bit.

11. Remove the ball joint (4) from the control arm (2).

Installation Procedure

1. Install the ball joint (4) into the control arm (2).
2. Install the 3 ball joint bolts (3) and the nuts (1). Follow the instructions in the ball joint kit. Tighten the ball joint bolts (3) according to the specifications in the instructions.




3. Install the lower control arm (2) to the front suspension support (1)
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

4. Install the lower control arm front (5) and rear (4) mounting bolts.
Tighten • Tighten the front bolt to 107 N·m (79 lb ft). • Tighten the rear bolt to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).



5. Install the lower ball joint stud (3) to the steering knuckle (2).
6. Install the ball joint stud (3) through the steering knuckle (2).
7. Install the ball joint nut (4).
Tighten
Tighten the ball joint nut to 55 N·m (41 lb ft) plus 180 degree rotation minimum-65 N·m (50 lb ft) plus 180 degree rotation maximum to install the cotter pin.

8. Install the wiring harness to the lower control arm.
9. Install the cotter pin (1).
10. Install the stabilizer link to the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
11. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
12. Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle, allowing the front suspension to hang free.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. WARNING
   Be careful when working in the area of the CV-joint boot. Damage to the boot could result in eventual CV-joint failure. If necessary, install CV-joint boot protector tool J-34754 or equivalent, to protect the boot.
   
3. On Eldorado and Seville with 4.6L engine, remove the road sensing suspension position sensor from the lower control arm.
4. Remove the cotter pin and nut from the ball joint stud. Use ball joint separator tool J-36226 or equivalent, on Deville and Fleetwood or ball joint separator tool J-35315 or equivalent, on Eldorado and Seville, to separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
5. On Deville and Fleetwood, loosen the stabilizer bar link nut.
   1. Drill out the 3 rivets retaining the ball joint to the lower control arm and remove the ball joint. NOTE: Recommended drill-bit is 1⁄2 inch (13 mm). Fig. 1: Drilling the rivets out of the lower control arm
      Fig. 2: Installing the bolts in the lower control arm
      To install:
      
6. Attach the new ball joint to the lower control arm with 3 mounting bolts and nuts.
   1. On Deville and Fleetwood, the bolts must be installed from the top of the control arm.
   2. On Eldorado and Seville, the bolts must be installed from the bottom of the control arm
   3. Tighten the nuts to 50 ft. lbs. (68 Nm).
   4. On Catera, the bolts must be installed from the top of the control arm.
   5. Tighten the nuts to 26 ft. lbs. (35 Nm).
7. On Deville and Fleetwood, tighten the stabilizer bar link nut to 13 ft. lbs. (17 Nm).
8. Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle and install the castellated nut.
9. On Deville and Fleetwood, tighten the ball joint nut to 88 inch lbs. (10 Nm). Then tighten the nut an additional 120°, during which a tighten of 41 ft. lbs. (55 Nm) must be obtained.
10. On Eldorado and Seville, tighten the ball joint nut to 84 inch lbs. (10 Nm). Then tighten the nut an additional 120°, during which a minimum torque of 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm) must be obtained. If the minimum torque is not obtained, check for stripped threads. If the threads are okay, replace the ball joint and knuckle.
11. On Catera, tighten the pinch bolt to 74 ft. lb. (100 Nm).
12. Install a new cotter pin. If the cotter pin cannot be installed because the hole in the stud does not align with a nut castellation, tighten the nut up to an additional 60°to allow for installation. NEVER loosen the nut to provide for cotter pin installation.
13. On Eldorado and Seville with 4.6L engine, install the road sensing suspension position sensor to the lower control arm.
14. If necessary, remove the CV-joint boot protector tool.
15. Install the wheel and tire assembly and lower the vehicle. Fig. 3: Separating the ball joint from the steering knuckle
    Fig. 4: Lower ball joint installation - Deville and Fleetwood
    Fig. 5: Lower ball joint installation - Eldorado and Seville
    

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/ Ball Joint Removal

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04 .

1. Remove the suspension lower arm ball joint cotter pin.

1. Remove the suspension lower arm ball joint nut and separate it from the wheel knuckle.

May have to leave nut partially on and hit the nut hard with a hammer to knock the tapered stud down and out. May have to hit side of knuckle to help get it to drop. or rent a pickle fork to drive between the bal joint and knuckle.

1. Remove the suspension lower arm ball joint to suspension lower arm nuts and remove the ball joint.

Found this article for you. Hope this helps

The ball joint is integrated into the lower control arm and cannot be replaced separately.
In many ways, that makes this project a lot less complicated (especially compared to the Taurus / Sable ;))

Before getting started, be sure to get an illustration of the front suspension - the linked Autozone Repair Guide is a good source.

Describing the scene & cast of parts:

• The control arm connects to the frame with 1 large bolt/nut through a bushing on one end.
  
  
• The other end has the ball joint stud sticking up that connects to the bottom end of the steering knuckle.
  
  
• There's one more part involved: lower arm strut.
• ** 1996-1998: This 'bar' connects to the middle of the control arm, and angles back and connects to the frame on the other.
  • 1999-2003: the end of the strut connects to the 'extension' coming off the control arm.
    

Removal Procedures:
Preliminaries: jack the car up, use a jack stand, chock the wheels, take the front wheel off - leave the key in the ignition so the steering wheel is unlocked.

1. Remove the lower arm strut nut and dished washer from the end that goes through the middle of the control arm.
   
   NOTE: take notice of which way the dishing of the washer is pointing - you'll want to remember that for reassembly.
   
   
2. Remove the 'pinch' bolt from the bottom of the steering knuckle that holds the ball joint stud in place - punch it all the way out of the knuckle.
   
   
3. To make separating the control arm from the knuckle easier, you can use a small pry bar, or other handy tool to open up the 'pinch' point around the ball joint stud.
   
   
4. I use a good length of 2x2 to leverage the control arm down - separating the ball joint stud from the knuckle.
   
   
5. Last step - remove the control arm-to-frame bolt - and wiggle control arm off the end of the arm strut.
   
   
6. Sit back and have a cup of coffee - 1/2 way there...
   
   

Installation:

1. Put the end of the arm strut through the the control arm connecting point (middle for or control arm extension - model year dependent)
   
   
2. Reattach control arm to frame - torque bolt to 85-97 ft lbs
   
   
3. Ball joint stud to steering knuckle -
   
   * A second pair of hands really come in handy for this part
   * Line up the stud to the same angle as the opening in the bottom of the steering knuckle
   * I usually reach for the 2x2 to lever the control arm down far enough to get the stud lined-up and back into the steering knuckle
   
   
4. Insert ball joint pinch bolt -
   
   NOTE: Don't start hammering the bolt back through the hole! There's a groove in the ball joint stud that must be lined up in the bolt hole - may have to tap the control arm up / down to get it "just right". Bolt slides in a whole lot easier then.
   Torque bolt to 46-52 ft lbs
   
   
5. Reinstall strut washer & nut - this is where you were supposed to remember which way the washer 'dishing' was pointing!
   Torque to 85-97 ft lbs
   

Don't forget to put the wheel back on, and drop the van back to the ground.

Now is the time for the beer... Pricing Price references: Autozone, 1996-1998 $60, 1999-2003 $102

Removing the Ball Joint Step 1 Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheel assembly with the ball joint you need to replace. Do not remove the lug nuts.
Step 2 Set the transmission in neutral (manual) or park (automatic) and raise the wheel off the ground using a floor jack. Then support the car on a jack stand.
Step 3 Chock the rear wheels and apply the parking brake.
Step 4 Remove the wheel lugs and the wheel assembly.
Step 5 Remove the mounting nut and dished washer that secure the stabilizer bar to the control arm. Use a wrench or ratchet and socket.
Step 6 Unscrew and remove the mounting bolt and nut holding the inner side of the control arm to the car's body. This will relieve the tension on the stabilizer bar. Use a wrench to hold the mounting bolt as you unscrew the nut with a wrench or ratchet and socket.
Step 7 Unscrew the bolt on the steering knuckle that holds the control-arm ball joint to the knuckle. Use a wrench or ratchet and socket.
Step 8 Spread the steering knuckle joint that holds the control-arm ball joint to the knuckle. Use a large screwdriver or pry bar. Then separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
Step 9 Pull the control arm from the stabilizer bar.
Step 10 Remove the stabilizer bar spacer from the control arm and keep it in a secure place. You will need to use it on the new control-arm ball joint assembly.
Installing the Ball Joint Step 1 Insert the new control-arm ball joint stud into the steering knuckle joint. As you look through the mounting bolt hole on the steering knuckle, align the notch on the ball joint stud with the hole. Insert a new ball joint mounting bolt and start a new nut on the bolt. Tighten the nut.
Step 2 Mount the stabilizer bar spacer in the control arm, then insert the stud bolt at the end of the stabilizer bar into the control arm mounting hole and spacer.
Step 3 Set the other end of the control arm in its mounting position and insert the mounting bolt. Then start the mounting nut on the bolt by hand.
Step 4 Hold the head of the mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the car's body using a wrench, then tighten the nut.
Step 5 Secure the stabilizer bar to the control arm with the dished washer and mounting nut. Tighten the nut.
Step 6 Install the wheel assembly and lugs. Tighten the lugs with the lug wrench just enough to hold the wheel assembly firmly in place.
Step 7 Lower the vehicle and finish tightening the wheel lugs.
Step 8
Remove the chocks from the rear wheels.

remove ball stud bolts .then remove suspension arm bracket nut .remove suspension arm bracket bolts. remove rear bracket and suspension arm. torque ball stud nut 44 ft lbs torque suspension arm rear bolts 32 ft lbs.

part of lower arm assembly only.

Installation

1. Inspect lower ball joint boots and seals for damage and replace if required. Lower ball joint and seal is part of front suspension lower arm and must be replaced as an assembly.
   

1. NOTE: Do not tighten the front suspension lower arm bolts and nuts to the specified torque until the end of assembly. Install nuts and tighten until snug.
   
   Position the front suspension lower arm in the front crossmember. Install the bolts. Install the nuts and tighten until snug.
   

1. Install torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar in this section.
   

1. Raise the front suspension lower arm to allow installation of front suspension lower arm ball joint into spindle bore.
   

1. Lower front suspension lower arm with a jack while making sure lower ball joint is seated in spindle bore. Install the lower ball joint attaching nut and tighten to 113-153 Nm (82-113 lb-ft). Install a new cotter pin.
   

1. Raise vehicle. Position the front shock absorber and install the nut/washer/bushing assembly. Tighten nut to 40-55 Nm (30-40 lb-ft).
   

1. Install the two nuts attaching the front shock absorber to the lower control arm and tighten to 21-29 Nm (15-21 lb-ft).
   

1. NOTE: Front suspension lower arms must be in the horizontal or curb position (vehicle on the ground) when tightening the front stabilizer bar link bolts. Use jackstands to raise the front suspension lower arms to the horizontal position or lower the vehicle to the ground (curb position).
   
   Lower the vehicle to the ground.
   

1. Connect the stabilizer bar link bolt to the front suspension lower arm and tighten to 13-17 Nm (10-13 lb-ft).
   

1. Tighten nuts and front suspension lower arm bolts to the No. 1 crossmember to 150-200 Nm (111-148 lb-ft).
   

1. Check ride height and align as necessary. Refer to Section 04-00 .
   

1. Lower the vehicle.