New ball joints too tight

[Paulos]

Hey everybody.
I replaced the ball joints, axle pivot bushings, and radius arm bushings in my '87 4x4 Ranger recently, and the ball joints are tight. Tight enough that it was obvious when I installed the steering knuckles. When I drive it, the steering wheel will not return to center on it's own (it tries, but makes it approximately 50%). I've never had this happen before that I can recall, and I was hoping that it would loosen up a bit as I drove it.

I just got back from trying to get it aligned. I found a good little shop in the country that was run by a couple of older guys (well, a little older than me anyway ) and they seemed to be a lot more competent than the people I've encountered in the past. They told me they wouldn't align it until I fixed the binding problem; which means, install quality (aka Moog) ball joints. They asked me what brand the ball joints were (I couldn't remember "Mevotech", a Rock Auto special), and that they have found that the lower and even mid-grade ball joints have a tendency to do this, especially on these Rangers. They said they've had no issues with Moog ball joints.

Being my daily driver, I don't have a couple days to do this again (nor do I really want to ). The mechanic said they wouldn't loosen up by driving the truck, so I'm going to have to attempt to install the new adjustable camber bushings I bought, just so the camber isn't so bad (it's obviously on the positive side). Anybody experienced this before? Anyone have new ball joints loosen up (in a good way) after they were installed tight? I followed Ford's torqueing technique and used a ball joint press, so it couldn't be due to an error on my part . Any help/opinions would be appreciated.

 

[4x4junkie]

Moog ball joints are not quality (once upon a time they were great, but not anymore at least the last 15 years or so). Been there, done that.

I would suggest look for Motorcraft branded joints (or any brand ball joints that have (exactly) a gold-anodized body w/blue urethane boot, which would be the original Dana-Spicer design).
Mevotech also has a line called Trail Tough Extreme or something to that effect (they have green boots and claim to be a higher-quality joint), but unfortunately I have not seen them available for our trucks yet.


As to your binding problem, I have not run into that yet myself... My guess is there is there must be some tension or binding between the joints, maybe from a joint not being pressed into the knuckle far enough, maybe the camber bushing is out of spec and doesn't tighten down in the correct position, or maybe you have a bent component under there (these are all just guesses).

 

[Paulos]

I appreciate the reply. They've loosened up somewhat, but after three weeks of driving I thought it would be more. I have some new adjustable camber bushings to put in it, so I may try that over the Thanksgiving day weekend.