Archived 2002 ball joint

[wrichards]

My mechanic says that the drivers side ball joint will only go in by hand and is to loose. He says the tube might be shot and need new axle. What do you guys think? Have you ever seen a tube go bad? I do snow plow with the truck. BTW truck is 3500 chassis cab.

 

[Sticks]

Who whaaaat???

OK. '02 truck that plows snow, no surprise that a ball joint (upper or lower... . both) are bad. Yeah, they do go in by hand since there is not a machine that does it for you.

Axle... Unless you hit something... repeatedly... that is the only way a "tube" would go out, or excessive rust.

Now an axle shaft on the other hand... plausible. . and it would be the first one that I heard of.

If you are quoting your mechanic word for word... you need to find another mechanic.

 

[mwilson]

The mechanic may be trying to indicate the ball joint can be "Pushed in by hand" literally as opposed to it having the normal press fit that requires the OTC tool to push it into place.

If the lower ball joint froze and turned in the tube for example, that would be the result.



It happens with big rig kingpins on occasion, then we have to have the axle removed and sleeved to bring things back into specs.



The same process could be done for the front axle tube but a junkyard one might be cheaper.



Before you throw him under the bus, ask for a more detailed explanation.



Mike.

 

[Sticks]

The mechanic may be trying to indicate the ball joint can be "Pushed in by hand" literally as opposed to it having the normal press fit that requires the OTC tool to push it into place.

If the lower ball joint froze and turned in the tube for example, that would be the result.

...



Mike.

That makes more sense. It would still be the first I have ever heard of it on a pickup.



Keep us informed on the situation.

 

[mwilson]

Another thought or two as I try to obtain my morning coffee fix,:-laf



Have him double check the diameter of the replacement ball joints. With a dial indicator style caliper.



I have seen an increase in mis-manufactured or mis-boxed parts lately.

A ton of vendors have gone out of business or moved manufacturing to another country so some mistakes in tooling and packaging are being made as the new vendors try to get things up and running.



If the ball joints are currently out of both sides of the axle tube on the truck then check both the left and right ball joint bore diameters to see if they are the same. If they are measuring the same then you may have a parts issue.



This is common sense stuff but a lot of techs don't think of it or won't do it until you mention it, then they go "Oh, that's a good idea"... .



Good luck and let us know what you find out.



Mike.