Installed new ball joints yesterday, my first time, but everything went fairly smoothly. Got everything put back together and as I leave for a test drive, I hear a clunking sound coming from the front axle. Come to find out, my front axle U joints are grinding the outer edge of the lower ball joint housing. Can someone tell me why this is happening? Camber mostly normal during alignments. Recently noticed more symptoms from worn ball joints, that's why I replaced them. I did read where Dynatrac had a similar problem early on, but they fixed the problem with lower profile lower ball joints.

 

That is true. I had the same issue. The axle shaft is bigger with the newer jeeps. I dont remember what year. I searched many forums. Its a bigger forging. I broke my driverside. I went with Yukon Chromo and low profile BJ. Synergy and Alloy USA. Work well. I've used both.

 

Your U joints broke? Did you try to shave the U joint down?

 

No. I removed them when I noticed they did not fit. I did the driverside first and freaked when I couldn't get the axle shaft in. The ears of the axle are forged bigger. ordered Synergy BJs and installed. I blew that axle up and bent the tube. I then bought a TF R44 replacement housing with Allow USA BJs. Alloy USA is a lil taller than Synergy. They both come with low pro grease zerks. I will post a pic in a few mins.

I was F'n frustrating.

Good luck bud.

 

So will alloy usa ball joints work
Fine with my 2009 unlimited?

 

Those bjs stick up far?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using JK-Forum

 

This pic is Synergy BJ's on a 13 D44 housing.
I used the same axles you have casting number 2014613. These are the Newer Axles....I believe its been a while.


This is the stock axle shaft long side. It matches your casting #.



This Pic is Teraflex R44 Housing with Alloy USA BJ's, which are a lil bit taller.
Axle shaft in this pics are Yukon Chromo with Spicer U Joints.


I hope this helps.

Good luck

Ernie

 

The knuckles on the shafts got bigger in 2013..for stock pretty stout...

 

I have put a few sets of the TeraFlex ball joints in with the newer axles. You need to grind a small valley in the outer yoke where it contacts the ball joint. The RCV and older shafts clear the ball joints just fine. Its extra work, but worth it for ball joints with a lifetime warranty.

 

Is this issue/problem with the TF ball joints only with the D44/Rubi axles with the 1350's? Or is it also an issue with the smaller D30 axles & yokes for JK's 2012+?