Loose lower ball joint socket
April 24th, 2019, 06:38 PM
#1
1968 442 Convertible
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Posts: 347
Loose lower ball joint socket
Took my front suspension off. LH ball joint was slip fit in lower arm socket. No arm damage, cracks, etc. Joint has been replaced but is not Moog brand. Anyone else experience this issue? Is it the aftermarket joint or did the socket become worn maybe during the previous press and replace? I suppose I could shrink the socket with some carefully placed taps with a hammer. Maybe some shaft loctite? Is it even an issue if there is no lateral play?
April 24th, 2019, 08:57 PM
#2
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,400
If you mean the ball joint body is loose in the lower control arm, that does happen, especially if whoever replaced it didn't get it installed straight. I've tack welded new ones in with no I'll effects. Once assembled, the ball joint is in tension and can't come loose.
April 25th, 2019, 05:57 AM
#3
Gary
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Gillespie County Texas
Posts: 2,098
My Vista Cruiser had a ball joint loose in a lower control arm, apparently due to accident damage.
The car aligned correctly and drove fine. I only discovered it when I wanted to put in new lower control arm bushings.
The car aligned correctly and drove fine. I only discovered it when I wanted to put in new lower control arm bushings.
April 25th, 2019, 10:02 AM
#4
CH3NO2 LEARN IT BURN IT
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Land of Taxes
Posts: 4,866
It can be "fixed" like Joe said. All depends on the severity of the miss-fit.
Another method is to evenly ***** punch the joint OD and the arm ID interference surfaces, offset and evenly spaced about 4-5 punches each. Then add a drop or two or red Loctite. Can stack punches two rows too.
I've also witnessed an old skooler heat the arm socket just hot enough to drift punch the outside wall of the arm socket evenly in 8 spots, ever so slightly, to tighten it up. I dont recommend that but it worked for an obsolete arm.
I have also witnessed someone speedy sleeve one then press it in as an assembly. Not sure I do that either...but it worked.
Or simply replace the arm. Safety first.
Another method is to evenly ***** punch the joint OD and the arm ID interference surfaces, offset and evenly spaced about 4-5 punches each. Then add a drop or two or red Loctite. Can stack punches two rows too.
I've also witnessed an old skooler heat the arm socket just hot enough to drift punch the outside wall of the arm socket evenly in 8 spots, ever so slightly, to tighten it up. I dont recommend that but it worked for an obsolete arm.
I have also witnessed someone speedy sleeve one then press it in as an assembly. Not sure I do that either...but it worked.
Or simply replace the arm. Safety first.
April 28th, 2019, 07:47 AM
#7
CH3NO2 LEARN IT BURN IT
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Land of Taxes
Posts: 4,866
Hey, Eric, you can't do that who do you think you are a moderator or somethin with a measly 32 thousand posts!...lol. Your brain works like mine. I call it refrigerator eyes. Look in it for something don't see it and its right in front in plain sight, if it was a snake you'd be bitten. Then the wife says angrily "its right in front of you"!
Bry593, Eric...Good info. I wasn't aware of the knurled BJs or ones with the slightly larger OD. Good good good. We have one of the best sites out there.
No testosterone laden BS with a bunch children or ornery people, well except for Joe(I jest sir)...just the facts mam, just the facts.
Bry593, Eric...Good info. I wasn't aware of the knurled BJs or ones with the slightly larger OD. Good good good. We have one of the best sites out there.
No testosterone laden BS with a bunch children or ornery people, well except for Joe(I jest sir)...just the facts mam, just the facts.
April 28th, 2019, 07:51 AM
#8
Old(s) Fart
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,400
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