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I am replacing ball joints on a 2008 axle. How should the caster bushing sit? Attached are some photos. If the bushing is sitting flush with the top of the knuckle, then once I get everything torqued correctly the knuckle will not move by hand. If the bushing is not flush, then everything seems OK, but the bushing sticking up, just doesn't seem correct. This is a used axle I purchased to convert my 99 to coil springs. I am reusing the caster bushing that was in it. The ball joints are all new Spicer.
The first two pictures, the knuckle moves nice and free. The last picture with the bushing flush - forget about moving the knuckle. This same problem occurred on both sides. I ordered some new caster bushings to rule that out as the issue.
I followed the torque procedures in the Spicer box. Lower BJ to 35 ft lbs. Upper BJ to 70 ft lbs then advance nut to next cotter pin slot. Lower BJ 150 ft lbs.
Bumping this. Hopefully, somebody that knows that correct answer can respond.
If I follow the Spicer torque sequence and let the caster bushing find its own resting place the knuckle seems to turn fine, but the bushing is definitely not resting flush on the C of the axle.
