Ball joint question
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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Ball joint question
Don't know if this is possible, but is there any way to tighten the ball joint on the driver's side front wheel? I had my passenger side replaced. The tech at the garage said that the driver's side was good and tight, but after I got the truck back, there seemed to be a lot of noise coming from the left front. The kind of noise that sounds like something is loose. It also seems to pull to the left a little, too. I don't want to point fingers, but it almost seems like the garage somehow loosened it up or something. It never did this before I took it in. Maybe they would like to see me back, so I can give them another $400. If it is possible to tighten them on my own, can someone maybe step me through it? Thanks.
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
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With the truck jacked up and supported on jackstands. (tire just off the ground) get a pry bar and pry up from the underside of the tire and have someone check for loose movement (checks ball joints). Next grab hold of the tire with your hands and give it a shake from side to side at the same time have someone look for loose movement (checks for bad tierods) Hope this helps.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
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From: West Cornwall, CT
While you have the front end of your truck jacked up, check out the upper and lower ball joints on both sides as well as the tie rod ends.
Inspect your front disc brake pads for any obvious wear or perhaps grease contamination resulting from the recent work. Spin each wheel by hand to make sure that they both have the same amount of drag.
Did the shop that did the work also do a wheel alignment? This needs for be part of ball joint replacement and might require both sides to be worked on.
Lou Braun
Inspect your front disc brake pads for any obvious wear or perhaps grease contamination resulting from the recent work. Spin each wheel by hand to make sure that they both have the same amount of drag.
Did the shop that did the work also do a wheel alignment? This needs for be part of ball joint replacement and might require both sides to be worked on.
Lou Braun
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
No, there is no way to 'tighten' ball joints.
Bottom line is, if you're not happy with the service you got at a shop, take it back, and either demand they fix the truck to your satisfaction, or refund your money. If they won't do either, then take it to a reputable shop next time, and tell all your friends to avoid them.
Bottom line is, if you're not happy with the service you got at a shop, take it back, and either demand they fix the truck to your satisfaction, or refund your money. If they won't do either, then take it to a reputable shop next time, and tell all your friends to avoid them.
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