Upper Ball Joint Installation Issue: 93 Ranger 4x4

[SeanC]

First post! Been lurking since I bought my Ranger last year. It's a '93 4x4 longbed with the 4.0, 5-speed, and BW-1354.

I've been replacing all of the worn parts on the D35. Currently, I'm replacing the ball joints with Raybestos Professional pieces. The lowers installed fine, and the snap ring slid into place without issue.

Moving onto the uppers (PN: 500-1066), it seems that the snap ring groove is obstructed at the slightly thicker part of the knuckle. I can't get the snap ring installed.

Both knuckles and ball joints are having the same issue I popped them out and reinstalled them, both times with the same problem. I'm pretty damn sure they are fully seated.

Anybody else have this problem? Is it ok to run them without the snap ring installed? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[adsm08]

Check and make sure it is fully seated at the point where your issue is. If you don't have the tapered adapters on you might not get it seated all the way.

As for running without the snap-ring, it's a press fit part, so it should be ok, but if you choose to do it, you do so at your own risk.

 

[SeanC]

Check and make sure it is fully seated at the point where your issue is.

Thanks for the advice. Is there some method of checking if the ball joint is fully seated, other than eyeballing it?

 

[adsm08]

Eyeball it. If the shoulder on the upper side is touching it's in as far as it will go.

I can usually tell when they seat just by the sound of my impact gun.

 

[4x4junkie]

The OEM upper joints never had snap rings on them either, so you can leave it off no problem (the lower joint is primarily what holds the knuckle in place, the upper joint with it's smooth stud mostly just locates the spindle for camber/caster).