Ball Joint Issue

[Suddendeath]

So I'm swapping out the ball joints on the driver side. Swapping knuckles too, going for full high steer. I had the guys who machined the knuckle press in the ball joints while they were at it. The ball joints are from summit racing, and I just confirmed with summit that they are indeed the correct joints.

Mevotech 8195T & 8194T
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEV-MK8194T/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEV-MK8195T/

Here is my issue. It doesn't seem like the top ball joint is properly seating in the axle C. It's leaving a gap of about 1/2" between the top of the dust boot on the joint and the C. I have zonked the snot out of this thing trying to pull it up into place, and the only result has been a busted ratchet. I've adjusted the little threaded thing that goes into the C up top, and that didn't help either.

What could possibly be going on here? At first I thought that it was maybe a slight difference in ball joint design, but upon putting the spindle back on the 1/2" gap is sufficient to cause the axle shaft U joint to bind on the lower ball joint's nut. The whole setup looks like the knuckle needs to move "up" about 1/2".

Could they have been pressed in wrong? I'm not sure what the deal is...my passenger side was done the same way, with the same joints, about 8 months ago and it went together no issues.

I'll post pictures when I can.

Thanks for the help guys.

[altrocker1]

did you use a flat ball going press or one with an angle in it. i know the kunckles on my dana 30 need an angled ball joint press or they may not seat all the way

[Suddendeath]

On my passenger side I pressed them in personally and they went straight in no issues, no hesitations. That's the side that has been trouble free for months now.

Perhaps the pressing of the ball joints is the issue? I don't know how, but tomorrow I'll drop the knuckle and 2x check to make sure they're properly seated.

[Chevelleguy]

I'm not sure if it is possible, but my bet is that the guy got the upper and lower joints switched. The 8195 is the lower joint, and it has a shorter shank than the 8194.

[Suddendeath]

No, upper and lowers are correct. I am sure of that one at least. The upper is the one with the hole for the pin to go through, and it's in it's place.

I'm also pretty sure that they were pressed in properly. If they were pressed in wrong, the issue would be between the ball joint and the knuckle. It's not. The issue is between the C and the ball joint. It's almost as if the tapered part of the ball joint is...too wide? for the adjusting collar. I'm going to try removing the adjusting collar again and setting it up x2. Who knows what I goofed this time.

[Blake]

Got any pics?

I've pressed in tons of D44 ball joints...

[Stupified]

did you put the caster shims back in the top ?
should look like this.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/170777015554

[Romanov]

Might seem dumb, but did they check the old part against the new? I have gotten the wrong part in the right box. If the install looks right then I would think the taper of the ball joint is wrong.

[jeepfan93]

Easiest way to tell if they're pressed in right is are the C-clips in place? If not they're in wrong. Other than that, you may have wrong parts boxed up. Look at the joints themselves and see if you can part numbers stamped on them.

[Tourettes]

I had a similar difficulty with inferior ball joints. At first I purchaced ones that were in the middle of the cost spectrum. I ended up returning those and bought MOOG balljoints.
The photo shows the the one removed and the mid priced balljoints.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=3&theater
I wish I had gone with the MOOGs to begin with! a lesson learned!