Kingpin Movement.

[RonneyJAyala]

I have a 92 XLT Ranger with the nice Dana 35. My problem lies with the kingpin, there's about a 1/8th inch of play on the wheel up/down, both wheels (One hand on the top of the tire, the other on the bottom) I'm honestly wondering how bad this issue is? And what's the damage to wallet going to be? If it's too much, my funds will push for the 3.73 gearing for 33's but for now, I need to know how bad this is. The only really noticeable thing I've found is taking turns at 50+ mph has a vibrating sound from the passenger side. Other then that, driving it is normal. Only reason I noticed it, was I decided to check my steering box today as I have a strange popping sound when I turn full one way, then slightly back.


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[tinman_72]

Check to make sure your lug nuts are tight.
Rangers do not have kingpins; they are for full-size Fords. Rangers have upper and lower balljoints. IIRC they are around $30 a piece at typical parts stores.

 

[RonneyJAyala]

So in the picture, that's where the movement is coming from? Any DIY videos on here? Or a thread about it?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Your pic is too close for me to identify 100%, but I suspect that is the lower balljoint. The other possibility of slop as you described is loose wheel bearings. The native search function isn't great, however if you use the "google custom search" button [at the top right of every page] you'll get better results. Also check out the "tech articles", also at the top of every page. If you don't find what you want, at the least you will learn the proper terms for what you're looking for, and that will make searching easier and answers better.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[RonneyJAyala]

Your pic is too close for me to identify 100%, but I suspect that is the lower balljoint. The other possibility of slop as you described is loose wheel bearings. The native search function isn't great, however if you use the "google custom search" button [at the top right of every page] you'll get better results. Also check out the "tech articles, also at the top of every page. If you don't find what you want, at the least you will learn the proper terms for what you're looking for, and that will make searching easier and answers better.
Good luck,

Richard

That would be the lower part of my axle, which is where it's rocking back and forth when I move it.

 

[adsm08]

That is a lower ball joint. No vehicle built in the last 50 years has used king pins.

Do both the upper and lower as it is a lot of work to get in there compared to the extra work to do both joints while you are already there.

Most of the needed tools can be rented at a local parts store for less than the cost of labor, but you will need an alignment when you are done. It's not a hard job, if you are at all mechanically inclined. I did mine in about an hour a few months ago. I had air and all the right tools already in hand though. Working at home with hand tools expect it to take 3 or 4.

 

[RonneyJAyala]

That is a lower ball joint. No vehicle built in the last 50 years has used king pins.



Do both the upper and lower as it is a lot of work to get in there compared to the extra work to do both joints while you are already there.



Most of the needed tools can be rented at a local parts store for less than the cost of labor, but you will need an alignment when you are done. It's not a hard job, if you are at all mechanically inclined. I did mine in about an hour a few months ago. I had air and all the right tools already in hand though. Working at home with hand tools expect it to take 3 or 4.

I assume I can figure it out. I'm a decent mechanic. But I have to have an estimate on how much it's going to cost me. A guy at work said on eBay about $170 for a full kit

 

[adsm08]

Huh? What kit?

You need an upper ball joint and a lower ball joint. As said before, the are about $30-$40 a piece. You need a ball joint press, a slide hammer and the spindle puller adapter are nice to have, but not required.

 

[RonneyJAyala]

On eBay I found a full set of 4 ball joints for $33 And I'm sure my local auto zone will have the tools required

 

[Hagan]

I wouldn't trust my life with $33 ball joints. Although I may still be a cheap bastard...I am even a lazier one. If you put those on you will end up doing it all over again and another alignment.

 

[RonneyJAyala]

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/271814029524
These are the ones I found. Don't specifically know what's good or what's bad, first time doing ball joints.

 

[RonneyJAyala]

Okay, so doing some more research, I've concluded to not be a cheapo, and get these http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/141322189165

From what I've read, moog is a decent brand and will last awhile.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, don't buy that first set. I can't give you a specific thing that is bad about them, but each joint should cost what that whole set does, which tells me they are low quality.

Moog was a good brand, but they move manufacturing the China and have been hit or miss in the last few years.

 

[RonneyJAyala]

Yeah, don't buy that first set. I can't give you a specific thing that is bad about them, but each joint should cost what that whole set does, which tells me they are low quality.

Moog was a good brand, but they move manufacturing the China and have been hit or miss in the last few years.

Others that I've read that are good are xrf and trw.

 

[RonneyJAyala]

Can I use Dana 28 Ball joints in a Dana 35?