Question on replacement ball joints
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
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From: Atlantic Canada
Question on replacement ball joints
Gentlemen,
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I've never purchased or changed ball joints in my life. I have my left I-beam laying on the bench, all cleaned up with pivot bushing and both ball joints removed.
I stopped by Napa yesterday and picked up a lower ball joint, and ordered an upper since they didn't have one in-stock. I didn't realize until I got home that the replacement ball joint I bought has a knurled seat, and my I-beam has a smooth bore. Measured, the OD of the knurled ball joint is almost 0.030" larger than the original, which was smooth.
Should I return it and buy ball joints that are not knurled, or are replacement joints always like this? Does it matter? Should I go looking for joints that aren't knurled?
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I've never purchased or changed ball joints in my life. I have my left I-beam laying on the bench, all cleaned up with pivot bushing and both ball joints removed.
I stopped by Napa yesterday and picked up a lower ball joint, and ordered an upper since they didn't have one in-stock. I didn't realize until I got home that the replacement ball joint I bought has a knurled seat, and my I-beam has a smooth bore. Measured, the OD of the knurled ball joint is almost 0.030" larger than the original, which was smooth.
Should I return it and buy ball joints that are not knurled, or are replacement joints always like this? Does it matter? Should I go looking for joints that aren't knurled?
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Do some research on the web for the part number you have and the manufacturer. The knurling will bite into the arm and give it a very snug fit, which is what you want. It is probably a way the manufacturer of the balljoint can get a tight fit without machining the od of the balljoint to a very tight spec. If it's a name brand like moog, I would be confident in it.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
Thanks for the reply Franklin,
I think I'll pick up some Moog joints then. I was being cheap and not wanting to buy the premium joints for a truck that will get used very little, but at the same time, I don't want to do any of this stuff again, either.
I looked a few different joints today, and it looks like they're almost all splined/knurled anyway, so I'm worrying about nothing I guess.
Cheers,
Rem
I think I'll pick up some Moog joints then. I was being cheap and not wanting to buy the premium joints for a truck that will get used very little, but at the same time, I don't want to do any of this stuff again, either.
I looked a few different joints today, and it looks like they're almost all splined/knurled anyway, so I'm worrying about nothing I guess.
Cheers,
Rem
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