Bad Lower Ball Joint out of the box?

[rklewis1005]

I've been assembling the front suspension on the K-frame. I attached the lower ball joints (both new sourced from the same place) - one feels stiff and the drum stays vertical. The other side feels loose and the drum flops out.

What say the experts - is the "loose" one bad out of the box? While I don't want to disassemble it, now is better than later!

Thanks for your opinions!
Ross

 

[davek]

Ross what brand did you buy? I have changed a couple and none were loose. Moog is hit or miss/junk nowadays Lets see what the guros have to say.

 

[OKDart]

I'm curious what others will have to say, but my rule is if they're installed, they're good if there's no in/out movement. But if the part is in my hand and I can spin the joint easily with my fingers, I'll reject it. The one you have that's stiff will probably be just like the other one after a few turns with the weight of the car on the ground.

And to add, I've had lower ball joints fail my check within a year going back to the 90's. So the quality has been lacking for awhile now.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Did you grease the the stiff one? Is there play in loose one, can you feel if it's loose?

 

[rklewis1005]

I have not greased either yet I'm trying to determine play. It just feels loose - moves easily vs the other. Just collecting opinions.

 

[Kern Dog]

Did you grease the the stiff one?

 

[Geoff 2]

Should not be loose. Loose means it has clearance.

 

[rklewis1005]

Should not be loose. Loose means it has clearance.

Thanks - maybe I'm just being paranoid. I'd rather replace now and keep this one as a spare if they are usually stiff out of the box like the other

 

[Armyvet25]

Thanks - maybe I'm just being paranoid. I'd rather replace now and keep this one as a spare if they are usually stiff out of the box like the other

means you didn't finish the job... I know, my mind is that of a 13 yr old till I die

 

[rklewis1005]

means you didn't finish the job... I know, my mind is that of a 13 yr old till I die

I think that's where KernDog was going as well. As soon as I wrote that I knew where it would end up! It's supposed to be stiff in the box and loose out of the box

 

[Armyvet25]

Thanks - maybe I'm just being paranoid. I'd rather replace now and keep this one as a spare if they are usually stiff out of the box like the other

on a relative to the topic note...I've never had a loose ball joint out of the box even before greased. And Moog were always super stiff

 

[rklewis1005]

on a relative to the topic note...I've never had a loose ball joint out of the box even before greased. And Moog were always super stiff

I believe they are TRW NOS (bought from Craig and not bashing him at all - he didn't manufacture them). I think I'll buy another and see how it feels. I need to put in an order for drums anyway to keep my brakes from getting dusty.

My guess is they are fine, just at the ends of the tolerance - smallest ball with biggest socket and "feels looser". I know it's not a technical term, and while I'd prefer a more Yes/No, On/Off, 1/0 kind of answer or verification method, it's the best I've got so far.

 

[terrywalker]

If it were me, I'd replace it if I think it's too loose. As you said, it's easier to replace now rather than a year down the road when it's all done. I just did this on a 72 Challenger. I didn't like the upper control arm bushings I received in a kit so I bought another set and installed those instead. Just my take on it.
Terry W.