? on ball joints

[JFought]

How much slack or wiggle tells me there bad> the alignment guy showed me and it moves about 3/16- to 6/16 on top and bottem of one side and a little less on the other. (both top and bottem, both sides)



(100 dollar dec. if i let dealer touch it. but with 73K should i just go the cargile route?)



06 megea 4x4 with heavy ftr bumper

 

[jelag]

Ball joint are normally tested unloaded... . you have to unload the suspension to test them correctly... All ball joints have some play, your mention of 3/16 to what I think your trying to say 6/16" = 3/8" is excessive if it allow the top of the wheel to move in or out, and or the side of the wheel to move in or out... in either case, this in and out movement will cause the vehicle to track incorrectly and will also allow excessive tire wear. .

As I remember, we used to check a ball joint with a dial indicator and the maximum play was something like . 060-. 120" so your are bad... . I actually went to the moog sight lookin for updated information but couldn't find it. .

 

[jelag]

I found this... . looks like great information to me... .

Automotive chassis: brakes ... - Google Books

 

[JFought]

okay. well it was unloaded. he put a bar under the tire and lifted straight up. this is when i saw the outer spindle rise compared to the axle. (the movement. . or slack) i saw this in all four joints. (does this still seem to be bad joints?)

 

[Bob4x4]

UPPER BALL JOINT

To properly diagnose the upper ball joint two readings from the dial indicator are necessary, The two readings must be added together to find a total ball joint movement as identified in the steps below.



Raise and support the vehicle.





1 - UPPER BALL JOINT

2 - AXLE YOKE

3 - DIAL INDICATOR

4 - STEERING KNUCKLE FLAT





Attach a dial indicator (3) with the indicator resting on either the front or back sides of the steering knuckle (4) as close to the upper ball joint (1) as possible (UPPER BALL JOINT MOVEMENT).

Set the dial indicator(3) to zero.

Grab the tire by pushing in on the top of the tire and pulling out on the bottom of the tire. Record the reading on the dial indicator (3). This will be the first reading (UPPER BALL JOINT MOVEMENT).

Set the dial indicator (3) back to zero.

Grab the tire by pulling in on the top of the tire and pushing out on the bottom of the tire. Record the reading on the dial indicator (3). This will be the second reading (UPPER BALL JOINT MOVEMENT).

Add the two readings together for a total upper ball joint movement. If this reading is above 1. 52 mm (0. 060 in) then replacement of the upper ball joint is necessary (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/UPPER BALL JOINT - REMOVAL).

 

[Bob4x4]

LOWER BALL JOINT

To properly diagnose the lower ball joint two readings from the dial indicator are necessary, The two readings must be added together to find a total ball joint movement as identified in the steps below.



Raise and support the vehicle.





1 - STEERING KNUCKLE

2 - DIAL INDICATOR





Attach a dial indicator (2) with the indicator resting on the flat part of the steering knuckle (1) by the lower ball stud (DIAL INDICATOR POSITION).

Set the dial indicator (2) to zero.







1 - PRY BAR

2 - UPPER BALL JOINT

3 - GEASE SEAL

4 - STEERING KNUCKLE





NOTE: Use care not to damage the upper ball joint grease seal (3).



Pry between the knuckle (4) and the axle tube yoke next to the upper ball joint (2), Record the reading on the dial indicator. This will be the first reading (FIRST READING).







1 - PRY BAR

2 - DIAL INDICATOR

3 - JACK STAND





Set the dial indicator (2) back to zero.

Set up a jackstand (3) and use a long prybar (1) to lift the knuckle assembly (SECOND READING)







1 - PRY BAR

2 - UPPER BALL JOINT

3 - AXLE YOKE

4 - GREASE SEAL

5 - STEERING KNUCKLE





Pry upwards on the flat part of the steering knuckle (5) next to the ball joint stud and nut (2)(PRYING LOCATION) using the jackstand as leverage. Record the reading on the dial indicator. This will be the second reading.

Add the two reading together for a total lower ball joint movement, If this reading is above 2. 29 mm (0. 090 in) then replacement of the lower ball joint is necessary (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/LOWER BALL JOINT - REMOVAL).