Moog K7448 binding issue??

[DBrooks]

I've got my '05 2500 in the shop for ball joint, hub bearings and u-joints (105K miles).



The shop first called me and said the bearings weren't right as when they tightened them down the front wheel wouldn't turn. Then they called back and said the issue was with the upper adjustable ball joint. In certain positions it was putting the axle in a bind and it caused the wheel not to turn.



Has anyone seen this happen? Is there a certain orientation the offset should be turned to (front or rear) as a starting point?



Curious if this is a real problem or they are blowing it out of proportion as I have read here of several of you with these ball joints installed. I am going to the shop first thing in the morning to discuss this with the mechanic.



Thanks,

Dave

 

[rbattelle]

Wow, I'll follow this with interest, since I have those joints ready to install.

Ryan

 

[CIverson]

I've encountered it before when I USED to use those moog joints. I now use non adj. uppers.



I orient mine w/ the offset towards the back. I install the knuckle and tighten the lower nut, and snug the top nut. Then install the everything till you get the hub and axle nut installed. Turn the knuckle back and forth to see if it binds, and if it does you can adjust the upper w/ an allen through the grease hole. Once you tighten the upper nut you will set the taper in the knuckle and won't be able to adjust the ball joint.

 

[rbattelle]

I've encountered it before when I USED to use those moog joints. I now use non adj. uppers.

Are there any greasable non-adjustable uppers? I can't find one.

On second thought... looks like Spicer 5001117 is greasable non-adjustable.

Ryan

 

[DBrooks]

Thanks for the input so far guys. I'll update this thread when I have more info tomorrow.

 

[CIverson]

Are there any greasable non-adjustable uppers? I can't find one.



On second thought... looks like Spicer 5001117 is greasable non-adjustable.



Ryan

Napa has greaseable uppers now, they may say they aren't , but they are, I just installed a set about 3 weeks ago. From threads on the site they are supposed to be made by dana/spicer, but who knows. The lowers I took out, felt tighter than the moog uppers I took out.

 

[Wayne M.]

With our fleet of Jeep Cherokees (XJ) (Same suspension design), we've been getting the Moog, not sure of number, adjustable lower ball joints (not our choice). If they are installed inverted, and the instruction sheet is very hard to understand- more like a puzzle, the knuckle will bind against the axle when swung. What I do is install but not seat the studs. I go on the alignment rack slowly and proceed.

The clocking of the stud and knuckle has to be watched during assembly since indexing is lost while swinging the knuckle back and forth before it's seated. We prefer the OEM pieces, though they're not adjustable.

 

[jltcasper3]

I saw some ball joints from quad 4 x 4 and they have greasable and i think non adjustable. Has any body had experience with them

? i am thinking about ordering.

 

[DBrooks]

Turns out they were worrying about nothing in this case. The binding was only occuring when they had them turned in to a pretty good negative camber number. Once they were set properly there was no clearance issue. This was just the first time they had installed the adjustable uppers so they were being extra carefull.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Mine have been in since around 160K, no issues now at 202K.

glad to hear they got it right.