The last ball joint question I'll ever ask

[Carl McFly]

I was reading the thread on ball joints (http://www.baystatejeepers.com/forum/vi ... oint#p1525) and it was money. I've been googling the chit out of ball joints and acceptable vs unacceptable movement, when it was all right here! Both my lowers have vertical movement, I'd say 1/16 - 1/8 inch. Passengers side has more

My question is, does vertical play on the lower ball joint contribute to a wandering front end and if it does, how? I'm trying to get my arms around how vertical play could induce symptoms that I'd associate with horizontal play. Or maybe there's some horizontal slop but it wasn't noticed, maybe just enough to cause low speed instability

[ChrisD]

Wish I could answer that for you, but like you I am also waiting to see the responses....

[Frank]

My guess is that the TJs have that weird tierod drag link set up. It might as a wheel goes up pulls the other wheel in causing wiggle or wander. Just a guess. If the lower is moving how could the top ones be tight as they share the axle C and are designed to rotate not travel. FjR68

[johnsxj]

There isn't supposed to be Vertical play in the lower joint! Vertical play typically won't cause much of a handling issue on a smooth road as the weight of the vehicle kinda keeps it in it's cup. On a bumpy road (potholes, etc...) it can cause some handling issues as the entire knuckle with brakes and wheel (lots of weight) drop down and pop back up. With that last set of AZ joints I'd put in there was so much wear on the lower that I was shocked the knuckle didn't fall off (thankfully I didn't hit any big potholes!), but I didn't feel any weird handling on the drive back from Rausch Creek.

A wandering front end usually is due more to worn/loose steering linkage, worn unit bearings, etc... A couple areas to check that people often forget about are the track bar bushings (LOTS of load on such a small part!) and the joints in the coupler shaft from the steering column to the box. Also on after a box swap, don't forget to go back and check the mounting bolts from time to time as they can loosen up!

[Carl McFly]

Frank - there was play in the upper joints, same as the lowers. I didn't mention that

John - thanks man, really appreciate the info. We (Ryan) did notice a little play in the TB bushing. Kind of pizzes me off, that's a new track bah and was installed a few months ago. I'll bet it's a bad TB bushing So I guess my plan is to R/R the ball joints, they may not be the cause of my wandering but they're an accident waiting to happen, and have to be addressed. I need to order / install a track bah bushing. And torque my steering box bolts and check the linkage! All good stuff, thanks again

[Kurt]

Frank - there was play in the upper joints, same as the lowers. I didn't mention that

Vertical play is normal for the Upper Ball Joint. That's the way they are designed. New out of the box the upper joint will have around 1/2" of verical movement.
However there should be zero horizontal play in the upper joint.

[Baseshakers]

this is the driver's side, passenger was worse...