how'd this happen?

[mtnman210]

Is this just the upper balljoint gone bad or do I have another mess to deal with? The steering arm has pushed up against the knuckle and worn a nice groove in it.

 

[MattK]

i thought thats the way they are. i think the steering arm is cast with that notch in it.

either way an easy way to tell if you bj's are bad is to jeck the front tire off the ground and grab the tire at the top and bottom. push and pull. if there is any hplay the need to be replaced

 

[mtnman210]

see I didn't know if they are suppose to be like that or not. I new they were close but it looks like it's been rubbing pretty. thats how I noticed it in the first place the steering wheel locked up and I couldn't turn it and then all of a sudden it released so I figured thats where it's getting hung up. I'll try the jack today.

 

[Emmettology 101]

I've never had one rub like that. MAy want to check and see if you have play in your balljoints.

 

[ak bandit]

They are cast with a notch in them. But I dont think they're supposed to sit that close. Here's a shot of mine...

 

[mtnman210]

thats what I thought.....yeah there's definitly something wrong

 

[outlawtorn]

Mine is doing that now and was doing that a few months ago... both times were the upper and lower balljoints on mine.

 

[sweetk30]

dont skimp on parts . get moog joints as thay offer the problem sover line of good stuff. you get what you pay for.

 

[mtnman210]

ok never done this before so quick question; I have to pull the front axle to swap the ball joints right? there's no way to get it out with the ujoint still there it seems like.

 

[sweetk30]

yep buddy. all parts from the knuckle out come off. need a b/j press also.

 

[ryan22re]

ok never done this before so quick question; I have to pull the front axle to swap the ball joints right? there's no way to get it out with the ujoint still there it seems like.

you are correct.

you probably can get a loaner ball joint press from either advance or autozone

ryan

 

[mtnman210]

thanks -------back outside

 

[MattK]

i used the HF bj press for mine. its not the fastest but it sure got the job done right.

 

[Emmettology 101]

If you dont have a BJ press, you could also use a BFH and a piece of pipe. Thats how I've done all mine.

 

[Executioner]

For the money I don't think you can beat Spicer(Dana) Ball Joints !
FYI make sure you understand Upper Ball Joint Preload !

dont skimp on parts . get moog joints as thay offer the problem sover line of good stuff. you get what you pay for.

 

[Robert D]

I remember prior to a year or so ago they didn't make replacement balljoint bushings for the Porsche I had. We had to replace the front control arm every time, ~300 dollars each time. Thank god I'm no longer dealing with that!

 

[mtnman210]

FYI make sure you understand Upper Ball Joint Preload !

and that would be?

 

[74757685k5]

my lift arm from roughcuntry .didnt fit.i had to grind it down at that spot.!!

 

[mtnman210]

SO it turns out that you push ball joints from inside the knuckle out

 

[darkshadow]

uh yeah lol.

also if you cant get your hands on a press and dont want to smash them.

look in your chiltons or hanse manual there is a trick where you use a large sockit and bolt and a washer to push it in/out cant really remembe but it is in there