Ball Joint

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Oct 20, 2019 | 08:39 PM

#16

steve(ill)

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Look at the control arm when the truck is setting level on the ground... That is the position you want to LOCK the bolts down when you reinstall the new arm... Then push the arm DOWN into the knuckle during reinstall... The rubber ends on the control arm that the bolts stick thru will flex and move as the suspension goes up and down... You don't want a lot of "flex" in the rubber when the truck is setting and off.. Not a big deal, but no need to overload the rubbers when not in use.

Oct 24, 2019 | 05:54 AM

#17

GadgetGuy22

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Thanks again Steve. I will do that.

Oct 24, 2019 | 09:28 AM

#18

GadgetGuy22

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Can a new ball joint be removed then reinstalled if it was not done correctly the first time?
And is it important that it gets pressed in completely flat?
I think mine might be slightly crooked.

Oct 24, 2019 | 10:48 AM

#19

paker

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I made the same mistake (bj not straight and not all the way in) before. I pulled it out and reinserted. No issues. If inserted right, it should go in all the way.

Oct 26, 2019 | 09:41 AM

#20

GadgetGuy22

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Quote:

Originally Posted by steve(ill)

So would you recommend that I take the truck off the jack stands put a jack under the L/S lower control arm. Then tighten the upper control arm bolts with the truck sitting level with the R/F wheel still on.

Oct 28, 2019 | 07:25 AM

#21

GadgetGuy22

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Please Help

I'm at the point of tightening the control arm bolts & I'm unsure how to determine if I should if I should do it with the control arm level or at an angle.

Oct 28, 2019 | 08:27 AM

#22

paker

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Assuming you mean the bolts that squeeze the rubber bushing, I would torque them some in the extended position and torque to spec with load on the control arm.

Oct 28, 2019 | 08:29 AM

#23

alloro

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GadgetGuy22

I'm at the point of tightening the control arm bolts & I'm unsure how to determine if I should if I should do it with the control arm level or at an angle.

You tighten them with a load on the suspension, basically level. If you tighten them with the suspension hanging you will rip the rubber bushings loose when you take the truck of the jacks because the bushings will try and twist too far.