How much is to much?

[mitch4x4]

I am in the process of replacing all my ball joints before winter comes. I am wondering how much play is to much? I can move my wheel back and forth but not very much, and I know its the upper ball joint but when I took it off It doesn't seem BAD like my other one was (move the joint and it would stay there no rebound) I bought a used control arm from a junk yard and they assured me the ball joint was good, but it has the same amount of play in it as the one I just took off the truck

So I guess my questions would be is there any play acceptable with a ball joint? and what other methods are there to check out the lower ones?

 

[brinker88]

Are you sure it's the balljoints that are bad and not the hub assembly? There should be NO noticeable play in your balljoints OR hub assys.

 

[mitch4x4]

Never even thought of that. Sigh this may have turned into a expensive problem..

 

[mitch4x4]

I just checked again and I can only get a bit of play out of the top of the tire. So I guess the upper ball joint is on its way out. And the junkyard sold me a bad one too.

 

[4.0B2]

my only question is why would you buy Junkyard ball joints?

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk here, I'm just curious..

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Lower balljoint vertical deflection should not exceed 0.032"

Upper balljoint vertical deflection should not exceed 0.008"

 

[TheBobmanNH]

my only question is why would you buy Junkyard ball joints?

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk here, I'm just curious..

Was wondering the same thing, don't they cost like 25 bucks a piece new?

 

[adsm08]

Was wondering the same thing, don't they cost like 25 bucks a piece new?

Not on his truck. I think the lowers are about $50, but the upper is an arm assembly, costs about $150 or so.

There is allowable movement that can be measured with a dial indicator, and Squatch posted the specs. The rule of thumb I use is that if you can feel and see the movement enough to tell which one it is, it is time for a new one.


Lastly, don't buy used suspension parts. That is one of the dumbest things you can do. It's like buying used oil filters or head gaskets. Might save you a few cents, but not worth the trouble it can cause.

 

[mitch4x4]

my only question is why would you buy Junkyard ball joints?

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk here, I'm just curious..

I use my truck everyday for work (forestry) so having a bad front end is just asking for disaster, anyway I am ordering parts from rock auto as even with shipping I am saving money, so I went to a junkyard and got a used one to get me by until my new gear arrives. Around here for the right upper control arm with ball joint is 175 plus tax. For a moog its 190 plus tax.

 

[4.0B2]

MOOG is def worth the extra money IMO.