how many balljoints
- Thread starter lilblueskeeter
- Start date
I've heard that pressing out the original BJ's does in fact enlarge the hole slightly.
I actually just ended up buying a set of Ford Racing A-arms and got new ones anyway.
I actually just ended up buying a set of Ford Racing A-arms and got new ones anyway.
anybody have any ideas cuz this is the second set ive installed since removing the stock ones and it was 10 times easier to press these in than it was the first set, which makes me nervous about driving it and not knowing if the balljoints gonna stay or just fall out the bottom of the control arm. any info as soon as possible would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Danny
skunk21
Active Member
The fact that you had to "PRESS" them in gives me the indication they should stay in. Like Mike stated the hole does stretch some when pressing them out, and it doesn't sound like you beat them out, making the opening shape worse. The aftermarket joints might not have as tight a tolerence like the factory ones. I would say w/o physically being there when you changed them you should be okay.
I also did the upgraded a-arms, great mod and they have better balljoints. Might be something for the future.
I also did the upgraded a-arms, great mod and they have better balljoints. Might be something for the future.
Some aftermarket BJ's are oversized to accomodate the LCA hole being reamed.
If it doesn't have a tight interference fit, I would not be comfortable using it. If you lose the BJ, you can slide down the road on the frame.
If it doesn't have a tight interference fit, I would not be comfortable using it. If you lose the BJ, you can slide down the road on the frame.
The BJ does press in from the bottom though. The bottom of thr BJ is welder to held prevent it sliding through. The spindle is going to pull the balljoint up while the spring pushing the A-arm down. It's always going to be in interference because of that.
For it to pull through would require a serious failure of the structure of the A-arm around the BJ. Of course i'm not going to say it won't happen for liability reasons. Use your better judgement, but people have been replacing balljoints in many vehicles for a long time and failures are relatively rare.
Just look at how the BJ sits int he A-Arm and how the forces will act on it and use your common sense really.
For it to pull through would require a serious failure of the structure of the A-arm around the BJ. Of course i'm not going to say it won't happen for liability reasons. Use your better judgement, but people have been replacing balljoints in many vehicles for a long time and failures are relatively rare.
Just look at how the BJ sits int he A-Arm and how the forces will act on it and use your common sense really.
If there's not a tight fit at the base, there can be longitudinal and lateral slop (the spindle receives the BJ's tapered shaft. This is not an absolute retention mechanism). With the kinds of load on the that base-point, it wouldn't take long for it to fail. This is one reason the OEM's generally don't condone replacing BJ's alone. BJ's have separated before even when there is no slop.
If you have enough cause for concern, have a muffler shop throw a couple of welds on it. You'd have to grind the welds off and press it out to change it the next time.
