Mixing ball joint brands
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Forest, VA
Mixing ball joint brands
I bought a set of Alloy USA ball joints for my 2010 JKU. These are stock replacement and have no adjustment or offset. When I was pressing the top driver side on the ball joint shaft came in contact with a spacer on the press and messed up the threads.
It doesn’t look like I can buy just a top ball joint that is Alloy USA. I have to buy a full set. Do you think it would be ok to replace one top ball joint with a different brand?
It doesn’t look like I can buy just a top ball joint that is Alloy USA. I have to buy a full set. Do you think it would be ok to replace one top ball joint with a different brand?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 297
Likes: 25
From: Parker, CO
You can also try running a thread file across the threads to dress them up. Unfortunately not many hardware tool stores carry them in stock. I had to special order my set through ACE Hardware, but man do they save my rear from time to time.
If you’re desperate and have the patience I’ve used a tap as thread file before, but it takes a long time and does not do the job same job a thread file does.
If you’re desperate and have the patience I’ve used a tap as thread file before, but it takes a long time and does not do the job same job a thread file does.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Forest, VA
I contacted Alloy USA. They said that I could buy 1 ball joint. They don’t sell to the public but gave me a vendor and a part number.
Then, like the rest of this project everything fell apart. The vendor said that was not a valid part number. Then they said they contacted the warehouse and a new part number has to be created and they would call me the next day with the price and shipping. 24 hours and I’m still waiting.
Im going with another brand ball joint. These are not adjustable so they should be made to the same spec as far as size and length. May still have the plastic liner but I’m out of options other than spending an extra $150 that doesn’t seem necessary
Then, like the rest of this project everything fell apart. The vendor said that was not a valid part number. Then they said they contacted the warehouse and a new part number has to be created and they would call me the next day with the price and shipping. 24 hours and I’m still waiting.
Im going with another brand ball joint. These are not adjustable so they should be made to the same spec as far as size and length. May still have the plastic liner but I’m out of options other than spending an extra $150 that doesn’t seem necessary
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 2,089
From: Willow Park, TX
Man, I'd try a thread file like Seizer suggest above. That will could solve your situation without even pressing it out maybe. If THAT didn't work, then maybe look at a replacement. Buying on Amazon and paying to overnight would be worth it, and you'd have a set of files to use one all sorts of things moving forward.