• A vehicle's ball joints allow the suspension to move.wheel image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
  
  The Ford Taurus is a mid-sized family sedan first introduced in the early 1980s. The Taurus uses a conventional front suspension, with ball joints connecting the knuckle to the wheel hub. The ball joints carry the weight of the front of the vehicle and must meet specific torque specifications when replaced.
  
  

Testing and Inspection

• Raise the vehicle until its wheels fall to full down position and are off the ground. Have an assistant grasp the lower edge of a tire and move the wheel assembly in and out. As the wheel is being moved in and out, observe the upper end of the wheel spindle and the rear suspension arm and bushing. Any movement will indicate abnormal joint wear.
  
  

Torque Specifications

• The torque specification for the front lower and upper ball joint nut is 68 to 92 Nm, or 50 to 67 ft. lbs.
  
  

Part Replacement

• The OEM part number for a ball joint for a 1999 Taurus is 5F1Z3050A. This part is supplied by Ford and available at dealerships.