Is This Ball joint Correctly Installed?

[sashizim]

Hi all, new to working on my vehicles and teaching myself everything as I go along and I have a question about my ball joint install.

I'm working on replacing the lower ball joint on both front sides of my 2WD 1999 ranger. The ball joint I got from Canadian Tire looks similar to my old one but when installed the ring clip is sitting above the control surface and not flush against it like in most video examples I've seen. I looked underneath and I see that the ball joint's shoulder is fully seated against the control arm so this should be fine...I think?. I've included some photos. Is this correct? Not sure if I got the wrong ball joint or if ball joints can be ok to be installed like this.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[Uncle Gump]

Looks like the splines are a bit long.

That clip just keeps that ball joints from falling out... but if that ever happened... you have bigger problems.

The splines and interference fit are what keeps it there along with the weight of the vehicle on it.

Small differences in replacement parts is pretty common.

 

[Curious Hound]

As long as the shoulder is fully seated, it's good.

 

[sashizim]

Thanks for the info guys!

I found this thread after searching through different forums, https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ball-joint-trouble.392667/

Mixed reviews of people saying you can do it and as long as the shoulder is against the control arm it should be ok, as long as the top of the ball joint isn't interfering with the clearance of another part like the knuckle.

I went back to Canadian Tire and turns out they sold me the ball joint for the 1999 Ranger with the Torsion bar suspension when I have the coil spring version! So looks like I just got sold the wrong part but could have made it work if I was in a pinch.

I exchanged the ball joint for the correct coil spring version though and the new ball joint looks shorter in height compared to the incorrect one so this should work a lot better now!

Thanks for the input guys, hope this helps another newbie facing a similar problem some day lol!

 

[Curious Hound]

Thanks for the info guys!

I found this thread after searching through different forums, https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ball-joint-trouble.392667/

Mixed reviews of people saying you can do it and as long as the shoulder is against the control arm it should be ok, as long as the top of the ball joint isn't interfering with the clearance of another part like the knuckle.

I went back to Canadian Tire and turns out they sold me the ball joint for the 1999 Ranger with the Torsion bar suspension when I have the coil spring version! So looks like I just got sold the wrong part but could have made it work if I was in a pinch.

I exchanged the ball joint for the correct coil spring version though and the new ball joint looks shorter in height compared to the incorrect one so this should work a lot better now!

Thanks for the input guys, hope this helps another newbie facing a similar problem some day lol!

Aah. Another victim of Ford’s oddball transition year models.