Hi there Guy's
I have an F-250 SD 2003 5.4 130+miles
I replaced the pass,side Ball joints, I pressed them on to the Knuckle and installed the knuckle. Just the knuckle.
My Question is Should Turning The Knuckle Feel So Stiff ??????

I did grease them.... The knuckle just feels so stiff, The Axle isn't in and it's not hooked the the to the tie rod..

Thanks Jay

 

Ya got a better description of stiff? It shouldn't flop around, but you shouldn't need to lean on a pry bar to get it to turn, either.

 

Hi ak-angler
It turns left to right Just feel Snug really snug i dont know if that the norm or should move more freely.... I dont really have to lean into it.. before replacing the BJ's if i pushed it all the way to the left or right i had to kick it free.
thanks jay

 

Firm is ok. I agree with the "pry bar" comment above.

If you pressed the ball joints yourself you're likely ok with how they are in the knuckle. You don't have a "MOOG" type ball joint with a zerk fitting still installed, and not the little "fill in the blank". The bottom one is the issue. Top one can stay installed.

Remember famous last words are "It'll be fine..." not "Watch this!"

Good Luck!!

 

Many people talk about how stiff new ball joints are for the first few thousand miles before they loosen up. I don't know what brand you used, but my Moogs felt a tad firmer than my OEM when I installed them, but I didn't notice them being more difficult to move.

Did you install the ball joint all the way?

 

Hey Guys
No Moogs There Napa's Best Grease able, There in all the way. the lower have a C,Clip the uppers can only go in so far, No clip .I did it all myself with the Help of this Site and guy's like you.
I just got done tonight and it all seems to be working just fine nice and smooth.
Rotors should be replaced. Maybe this weekend.
I want to thank everyone!!
This site is The Best!! It has saved and taught me so much about how to and what to do to keep my truck on the road for less..
Again Thanks To Everyone!!!!

Jay

 

i just changed mine last weekend. moogs here they were firm to move not to tight but did have to use a little muscle to move them

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rovements.html

Read post #5.

Moog, Napa whatever. They all suck. They are poorly manufactured and vary in stiffness from lot to lot. As far as I'm concerned, the only quality ball joints are the sealed motorcraft ones.