ball joints bad?
 

I know another ball joint thread, sorry! I have read the posts and still have a few questions hopefully you guys can sharpen me up for tomorrows converstation with the dealer.

Went to alignment shop and they lifted one side of jeep at a time and put a pry bar under the wheel to demonstrate the movement in the lower ball joint and they said i need new ball joints. What they demonstrated sure did seem like alot of movement to me! Jeep is at dealer now and they say 5 techs looked at it and said ball joints are within spec, i ask what is that spec and they dont know the numbers, figures! I asked how they check the ball joints and they said they lift the entire vehicle off the ground and wiggle the tire. I questioned that technique by saying that without leverage it would be hard for an individual to demonstrate play in ball joints. They say they will throw it on the aligment machine tomorrow to take a look.

So i guess my question is how do you measure the movement in the ball joints, with a precision measuring caliper? Seems to leave to much room for error to measure .05". Or just let the aligment machine do the talking on the camber specs? But bad camber numbers doesnt necessary mean bad ball joints does it? When i watched the aligment shop lift the tire with the pry bar there was obvious movement, is that evidence enough that the ball joints are worn? It seemed to be evidense enough for the aligment shop.

I do want to get what i deserve from my warranty and if thats new ball joints, i want them. I also dont want to raise a stink and have the dealer do a $600.00 repair under warranty to still have the same play in my joints, guess i would feel like an idiot and dont want to build a bad wrap with the dealer.

Thanks guys!


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°

anyone? wayolife plannman mkjeep, were the guys that have all the answers?

Ball joint specs below; measure with a dial caliper.

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).



Jack the front tire off the ground.
Place a jack stand under the axle next to the jack.
Lower to put some weight on the jack stand.
Place a long pry bar under the tire.
Have someone pry the tire up and down while you watch the lower ball joint for up and down play.
Axial (up and down) movement in the lower ball joint should not exceed 0.050"

Have someone grab the tire at top and bottom to wiggle the top in and out while you watch the upper joint for side play.
Radial (side-to-side) movement in the upper ball joint should not exceed 0.060"

Even if the upper joint checks good, change both if the lower checks bad.

Sorry in advance to be a jerk especially when i am looking for help but way to read my post you basically said everthing i did, very helpful.

Way to read my post. I answered your question about how to measure the play.: with a DIAL INDICATOR!
Plus, I outlined how to do it at home.

And the stuff in your post originally came from one of my posts.

Also Rob (RedneckJeep)