Need help changing balljoints - 1999 Ford Windstar

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.
    

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...
   
   

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