Lost passenger front wheel

[Byron]

Just had it towed home. The front passenger lower ball joint sheered off. I saw a couple of videos on replacing upper control arm and ball joints and while it doesn’t appear to be an easy job I’m gonna try and tackle the job myself. If anyone has advice on front end parts to check especially since it did get pulled on to and off of the tow truck the advice will be greatly appreciated.

I think the cv axle was pulled quite a bit dragging it up and off the truck. Nothing appears bent, but that’s only after a glance with a light.

 

[tommudd]

Front lower ball joints wear out and many people never check them so yes it leads to what you just experienced
( HINT you should check all parts on a regualr basis )
Get Moog greaseable ball joints , not sure what year you have so can not give you the parts numbers
Next CV from NAPA get the rebuilt ones, they work where as others do not.
If it is the right side then also install a new intermediate shaft
You mention upper control arm, did it get damaged as well ?

 

[jeeptorino68]

Your lower control arm may have damage from scraping along the road depending on your speed. Etc.

 

[Byron]

Thanks, luckily I was in a parking lot and moving very slow. I don’t believe much else was damaged. It’s a 2006 and I will be checking for play in upper lower and tie rod ends. I haven’t had the Liberty but for a couple of months for my son so I’m glad this happened where it did. There wasn’t much play left to right or top and bottom when I raised the vehicle and grabbed the tire so I’ll replace both lower ball joints and test the top arm and joint with a bar off the spring. Should I replace the cv axle or is there a way to test it? I believe it will slide back into place???

 

[tommudd]

If you were going really slow then CV " may not "have been damaged but...........
MOOG lower ball joint # K 80767

Uppers go out as well, have found several over the years that were loose at 70-75,000 miles even

 

[Byron]

Thanks I’ll order moog replacements for both front. I will check for play in tie rod ends and in upper control arm. I appreciate the help.

 

[Byron]

Upper passenger side is loose and I’ll replace as well. I am assuming MOOG part number
CK3198 is recommendation with MOOG lower?

is it normal for the CV axle to slide pretty easily after the knuckle is off? It amazing I felt no play in the front end last month with as loose as everything feels today.

 

[tommudd]

How do " you " check upper and lower ball joints
there is a right and wrong way, just checking

 

[Byron]

Originally I lifted the car and checked for movement by pulling on tire left to right and top and bottom. Now that I pulled the knuckle off I grabbed the top ball joint and it is very loose. Obviously pulling/pushing on the tire left right top and bottom is not the correct way.

I saw a video showing a pry bar off the spring to upper arm and look for play in the ball joint. Some said you will hear noise or feel loose steering. I think the one that sheered off was frozen and the top was loose and that slow turn in the parking lot put too much pressure on the lower.

side note: I have no idea how long this vehicle sat before I bought it off Craigslist.

 

[Byron]

Thanks, success or at least I think so. Replaced passenger side upper arm, lower ball joint and tie rod end. Got all Moog parts which took awhile to come in but they are in and on the Libby. I pointed the grease fitting towards the engine then I saw it is recommended to face front or back. Does anyone know if it causes an issue other than being a bit difficult under drive shaft?

thanks again for advice. Agreed with comments by others before on different threads-feels much better to have some that can be greased especially after having one snap.