Hello all,

I am in the midst of a ball joint replacement on my '02 7.3l F-250 SCLB 4x4. I am using Moog parts purchased from Powerstroke Shop (Great vendor, BTW).

Upper Ball joint: K80026
Lower Ball Joint: K8607T

Here's my question. When I took everything apart, I may be mistaken, but I don't recall there being a gap between the collar on the alignment bushing and the top of the axle yoke. But with the new ball joints, there is a 1/8" gap (see photo). I am wondering if the taper is different between the stock ball joints and the new Moog ball joints? Or perhaps the new top Moog ball joint is not the correct part to be used with this type of alignment bushing? Or maybe this is how it is supposed to be?

I do recall the previous owner saying that he had an "alignment kit" installed, and I didn't know what he meant at the time. Maybe these are some aftermarket alignment bushings that are not appropriate for use with the Moog ball joints?

All comments would be appreciated.

 

When I replaced mine on 2004 F250 4X4 CC with Moog I have that same gap on mine that you do so i guess this is normal.

 

This is normal with any ball joint. Sometimes the bushing will pull down flat. Because of the nature of the bushing, and the tapered ball joint, it is a bit of a task to pull the nut tight while keeping the bushing flat down. The bushing expands as the joint is tightened down. Did you tighten the lower one first? Sometimes this will pull the spindle up and make it difficult to get the bushing flush again. Shouldn't cause a problem, just an **** issue

 

Thanks! I did tighten the bottom one first, the instructions that came with the ball joints said to do that. I am afraid that if I were to tighten the top one first, it might be impossible to get the bottom one fully seated, and I would think that would be way more important than the top one.

 

Should have expanded some, it should be tightened first, but do a little at a time on each one will make it easier to keep the bushing in the top down in the axle, doing the final tightening on the bottom then the top. If you must have it all the way down. Again, what you have is fine!

BTW your truck looks fairly rust free! Nice!

 

Thank you! One of the nice things about living in Cali. Rain is the worst this truck has seen, and the guy I bought it from took really good care of it.

Thanks to you and to a1ford for the reassurance.