Lower Ball Joint Video

[hyde]

You be the judge of it, if there is a problem or not? I can't really tell if it is supposed to flex like that or not. And if the noise I have been hearing is originated from this area or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7G08X1xrgg

 

[tjkj2002]

You be the judge of it, if there is a problem or not? I can't really tell if it is supposed to flex like that or not. And if the noise I have been hearing is originated from this area or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7G08X1xrgg

Them there balljoints are shot and could totally fail(fail apart) at anytime.Be safe and get them changed ASAP.Looks to be at least 3/16" play if not closer to 1/4",there shouldn't be any or less then 1/32" of play.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I agree with tjkj.
However, the only sound I hear is that of a tire iron and a bottle jack.

 

[tjkj2002]

I agree with tjkj.
However, the only sound I hear is that of a tire iron and a bottle jack.

No noise from the lack of a 4000lbs Jeep sitting on it,and it's noisy when turning and not much going up/down.

 

[hyde]

No noise from it, only little clicking when I was pulling it. At first there was no play, the harder I pulled on the bar, more it moved. I was using a long steel square bar to lift the tire up and down, which was L shaped. It worked marvels, and I was way away from the jeep while pulling it up.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Heh, regardless of whether that's where the noise is coming from or not... those ball joints are shot.

Oh someone already said that?

Doesn't matter, nothing wrong with a bit of reinforcement, lol.

 

[hyde]

Dealer will just replace them and they will soon be shot again.. Damn.

 

[kj924]

Now Hyedipin, when you get the new ones installed take a video so as to compare the new to old.

How's the side play when you rock top and bottom? This is also an important wear indicator. Its the side play not up and down that will really cause you problems....like severe tire wear and wondering on the road.

 

[hyde]

I tried to rock it inside and out, but I was concerned about knocking it off the jack. Also, I had to put a lot of pressure on the metal bar to move this like that, so I am not sure.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Yup, Those are gone. I wouldnt drive it much at all like that like everyone said.

Even if they do fail Chrysler must pay for all damage. They will usually fail at lower speeds when turning in parking lots.

Are these the recall joints hyedipin?

 

[kj924]

That is alot of play up and down, but even new joints will move a bit. You need to get the tolerance specs for good and bad. You also shouldn't need to put your back out trying to get the joints to move either.A light tug on the bar should do it.


But be on the safe side and get a mechanic to chech them.

 

[tjkj2002]

As per the '02 service manual--------LBJ's are shot with more play then 1.5mm(about 1/16") of vertical movement.

 

[JeepJeepster]

My moogs have zero play. Uppers also have zero play in them but Ive greased those before(wasnt easy).

 

[hyde]

1.5mm is a very small distance to play. I am pretty this is more than that. I didn't have to brake my back but it was pretty hard to get them start moving. After first one it was easier to play. It felt like it was stuck at first.

 

[kj924]

Just for curiosity sake.....what is the side play tolerance in the manual tjkj?

 

[tjkj2002]

Just for curiosity sake.....what is the side play tolerance in the manual tjkj?

No side play measurements,you only check the up/down play since our LBJ's are installed "wrong" the up/down movement is more important then side to side.

jeepjeepsterMy moogs have zero play. Uppers also have zero play in them but Ive greased those before(wasnt easy).

My MOOG LBJ's also have zero play in them and after 26,000 miles(grease them every oil change),my MOOG UBJ's(I have Al's arms) have zero play also and they have 26,000 miles on them also(grease them every oil change to).Those balljoints have seen alot of severe offroad abuse also,well worth the extra money for them.