Whacko Ball Joint!
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Industry US
Whacko Ball Joint!
Back in January I did a quick check of our 92 X Sport and found the lower left ball joint a little loose.
Since the truck isn't driven much I let it go. Last week we took it for a litle 200 mile trip, and the steering was absolutly horrible. Hard to hold on the road and the steering wouldn't return to center after a turn.
So, a closer look showed 2 deg negetive camber on the left and the loose ball joint was now tight. I mean a 4 foot bar under the wheel couldn't make any movement.
Went ahead and replaced the ball joint and left rotor as the outer bearing cup was spinning in the rotor.
Now the camber is 20 min positive and the steering excelent.
I have seen posts here about steering problems and don't recall ball joints being mentioned as a possible cause. (Could have been, I have a bad memory.)
Anyway, this is one of those oddball situations, but possible, that could easily be overlooked in diagnosing steering problems.
Lew
Since the truck isn't driven much I let it go. Last week we took it for a litle 200 mile trip, and the steering was absolutly horrible. Hard to hold on the road and the steering wouldn't return to center after a turn.
So, a closer look showed 2 deg negetive camber on the left and the loose ball joint was now tight. I mean a 4 foot bar under the wheel couldn't make any movement.
Went ahead and replaced the ball joint and left rotor as the outer bearing cup was spinning in the rotor.
Now the camber is 20 min positive and the steering excelent.
I have seen posts here about steering problems and don't recall ball joints being mentioned as a possible cause. (Could have been, I have a bad memory.)
Anyway, this is one of those oddball situations, but possible, that could easily be overlooked in diagnosing steering problems.
Lew
