joyntman

Hello from Colorado!

Time for one centralized ball joint write up.

(if you already have found one, please post the link here, and I will update the main post!)

This Write up will has several main sections:

I. Links Section
Here's a thread that has some info on ball joint presses and adapters...
https://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.p...ght=ball+joint

Ball Joint tool: needed to remove/install ball joints:

Jeep Ball Joint Service Adapter Kit (OTC PN: 7894)


This youtube video gives you a good idea of what you are up against.

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=0

Death Wobble Youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwiv2...ture=quicklist

Anatomy of a Stock ball joint (how Ball Joints are built)
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?116058-OEM-Ball-Joint-Study-Results&highlight=ball+joints

Great stock death wobble write up with pics:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?22767-Stock-Death-Wobble/page15&highlight=ball+joints

II: (Knowledge Base)

Chrysler camber/caster specs: (From the factory service manual):


Radial (side-to-side) movement in the upper ball joint should not exceed 0.060" (1.5mm).

Axial (up and down) movement in the lower ball joint should not exceed 0.050" (1.25mm).

Front Axle Alignment specs:
CASTER + 4.2° ± 0.5°
MAX LT/RT DIFFERENCE 0.65°

CAMBER − 0.25° (fixed angle) ± 0.37°
MAX LT/RT DIFFERENCE ± 0.5°

TOTAL TOE-IN + 0.20° (0.10° each front wheel) ±0.03°
MAX LT/RT DIFFERENCE 0.04°

Do YOU have other knowledge base items to share? Please PM me

III. WHICH BALL JOINTS TO BUY:
1. Question #1: should I buy an offset ball joint?
1.1. ANSWER: It depends.
1.2. (this type of ball joint comes in varying degrees of camber offset, from .5 to 2 degrees of offset)
1.3. These can be used to correct bent C arms (on ends of your front axle, often caused by oversized tires, or hard abuse)
1.4. Several companies make offset ball joints
1.5. If you are not sure which to get, consult with someone who knows!


2. Question # 2: Do I need to buy serviceable (greaseable) ball joints?
2.1. ANSWER: You should.
2.2. The stock MOPAR JK ball joints are NOT greaseable. (one of the reasons they fail faster)
2.3. The stock ball joints have a plastic cap, so next to impossible to add grease nipples to them
2.4. Having a greaseable ball joint SHOULD extend the life of your ball joint! (as long as you actually service it.

3. Who makes ball joints for the JK? (& How Much do they cost?)

A. Manufacturers:
(SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS)
1) Stock MOPAR
2) Moog
3) Raybestos
4) Crown
5) Napa Auto Parts
6) Dynatrac
7) Others?

1) Stock Mopar replacement ball joints: (see your dealer or auto parts store website)
a. Greaseable? No.
b. Expensive? No. approx. $40
c. Long lasting? Absolutely not. (check out the feedback all over the forum)
d. ) IF THERE ARE VENDORS on the forum that carry these, PM me, and I will add your name below!

2) Moog Ball Joints:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?93532-Moog-balljoints&highlight=ball+joints
a. Greaseable? NO
b. Expensive? mid. approx $75 each
c. Long Lasting? unknown. not greaseable
d. IF THERE ARE VENDORS on the forum that carry these, PM me, and I will add your name below!
e. Rock Auto carries these....

3) Raybestos Ball Joints: (offset joints available)
Check out Raybestos website for more details, and see below for specs available.
a. Greaseable? YES
b. Expensive? mid. approx $75 each
c. Long Lasting? likely longer than stock since greaseable
d. Available on rock auto website
IF THERE ARE VENDORS on the forum that carry these, PM me, and I will add your name below!

Specs from Raybestos website:
[Ball Joint]
Professional Grade;Upper;Offset Ball Joint Replaces OEM To Provide 1/2 Degrees Positive(+) Or Negative(-) Camber/Caster Change;2 Per Car 615-4000
[Ball Joint]
Professional Grade;Upper;Offset Ball Joint Replaces OEM To Provide 1 Degree Positive(+) Or Negative(-) Camber/Caster Change;2 Per Car 615-4001
[Ball Joint]
Professional Grade;Upper;Offset Ball Joint Replaces OEM To Provide 1-1/2 Degree Positive(+) Or Negative(-) Camber/Caster Change;2 Per Car 615-4002
[Ball Joint]
Professional Grade;Upper;Offset Ball Joint Replaces OEM To Provide 2 Degree Positive(+) Or Negative(-) Camber/Caster Change;2 Per Car 615-4003

4) Crown: (NEED DATA HERE)
a. Greaseable? NO
b. Expensive? NO (look to be replacements for stock)
c. Long Lasting? unknown
d. Where to buy: Rock Auto
i. IF THERE ARE VENDORS on the forum that carry these, PM me, and I will add your name below!

5) Napa Auto Parts:
Napa carries serviceable UPPER JOINTS ONLY. They do carry a lifetime warranty!! Go to their site or stop by your local store. Napaonline.com
a. Greaseable? YES
b. Expensive? Middle of the road. (approx $100-$115 each)
c. Long Lasting? Unknown (They do carry a lifetime warranty)
d. OTHER INFO: Napa does offer offset ball joints, from .5 to 2 degrees of offset.
d. Where to buy: Unknown (to me)
i. IF THERE ARE VENDORS on the forum that carry these, PM me, and I will add your name below!

6) Dynatrac Pro Steer Joints:
These are truly awesome. And, the most expensive. However, once you have installed them, they can be rebuilt WITHOUT having to remove them! (for around $125 for all 4!).
a. Greaseable? YES
b. Expensive? YES. BEST Money can buy (according to people’s opinions on the forum: (approx $600 for all 4)
c. Long Lasting? Unknown, but very likely. Feedback on the forum has been very positive.
d. Where to buy: check out our sponsors websites! (these are available through several of our partners)
i. Here are a few I found. (other sponsors let me know)
ii. Northridge4x4- Dynatrac Prosteer Ball Joints”
1. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?119570-Northridge4x4-Dynatrac&highlight=ball+joints
iii. Dynatrac Ball Joints and Axles now at JeepSWAG.com:
1. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?125015-Dynatrac-Ball-Joints-and-Axles-now-at-JeepSWAG.com&highlight=ball+joints

7) Other Brands? (Chime in and let me know if I missed

IV: How to install (I know there are some great write-ups on this already on the forum, send me the links and I will post here)

V.Feedback/YOUR responses
(how do you like what you installed) (PLEASE PM me if you want me to post your response in this original write up)

ACTION ITEMS FOR YOU:
Please post your links to good write-ups on ball joints, which you like, etc, and I will update the main post!


With your help, we can make this one CENTRAL place for fixing the plague of bad ball joints on our Jeeps!

Also, let me know if i've missed any major areas/topics regarding ball joints, and I will add...

Cheers-Joyntman

ronjenx

Make sure it is readable in both white and black screen formats.

HappyCurmudgeon

good point. the text in the original post is mostly in white, that oddly enough dissappears on a white background

OnBelay

Funny, I have been researching the same thing over the last few days. I found a lot of info scattered around as well. Just a couple of quick ideas:

1. Links to videos of installs. I found several on Youtube.
2. Perhaps a list of tools that would need to be rented or purchased. E.g. the OTC 7249.

Something tells me I will be buying those Terraflex ball joints in the future ...

-Dawn

meatsandwich

I just pulled the trigger on the Dynatrac Prosteers

Yeah, they're expensive, but you can rebuild them for $125 with basic hand tools when they go bad (no special tools & the ball joint stays pressed in forever)

As long as you keep the jeep for over 50,000 miles they could pay for themselves (considering the price of parts & labor).

joyntman

Done! completed the change.

joyntman

I will start adding links to videos and write-ups this weekend; if you happen to stumble on any while on the forum, forward them to me pls!

joyntman

I will be adding a link to a dynatrac install i saw this weekend....

ronjenx

Most of it is readable now.

I can see the yellow lines, but they're not readable (white format).

Is it just my monitor, or is it that way for others, too?

HappyCurmudgeon

No, it isnt just you. Yellow is a poor choice in colors considering the dual format background capability, it does not show up well, if at all on a white background.