Help 89 Cherokee Ball Joints

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Blabber - 14 Mar 2008 17:43 GMT

I'm looking at replacing some bits on my front end and since I'll be working
in the area, I'm thinking about replacing the ball joints (are they ball
joints or really king pins?). In any case, I don't want to go to the effort
if there is nothing wrong with the existing ball joints, but I'm not sure
how to evaluate their condition. My truck has about 180k Km's and hasn't
seen a lot of off road. Can anyone offer some advice on how I determine if
the existing ball joints need to be replaced? Thanks for any advice.

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Mike Romain - 14 Mar 2008 19:02 GMT

You need to take the weight off the wheel and use a pry bar to pry in
all directions looking for movement. Any rust stains are bad news and a
torn boot means a dead one normally.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
Photos: http://mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly.com

> I'm looking at replacing some bits on my front end and since I'll be
> working in the area, I'm thinking about replacing the ball joints (are
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> advice on how I determine if the existing ball joints need to be
> replaced? Thanks for any advice.

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DougW - 14 Mar 2008 20:55 GMT

> You need to take the weight off the wheel and use a pry bar to pry in
> all directions looking for movement. Any rust stains are bad news
> and a torn boot means a dead one normally.

A mechanics stethoscope can be used to listen for the tell-tale clunk
that comes from a worn balljoint.
This might help.
http://revbeergoggles.com/balljoint1

>> I'm looking at replacing some bits on my front end and since I'll be
>> working in the area, I'm thinking about replacing the ball joints
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>> anyone offer some advice on how I determine if the existing ball
>> joints need to be replaced? Thanks for any advice.

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nrs - 14 Mar 2008 21:09 GMT

On Mar 14, 2:55 pm, "DougW" <I.only.read.use...@invalid.address>
wrote:

> > You need to take the weight off the wheel and use a pry bar to pry in
> > all directions looking for movement. Any rust stains are bad news
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Good write-up. I had to pb blast for several days before it would
budge.

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Mike Romain - 14 Mar 2008 21:40 GMT

Umm, good write-up if you are changing a 'tie rod end'.....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
Photos: http://mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly.com

>> You need to take the weight off the wheel and use a pry bar to pry in
>> all directions looking for movement. Any rust stains are bad news
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>>> anyone offer some advice on how I determine if the existing ball
>>> joints need to be replaced? Thanks for any advice.

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Earle Horton - 14 Mar 2008 22:33 GMT

Yep, that's a tie rod end, all right.

Cheers,

Earle

> Umm, good write-up if you are changing a 'tie rod end'.....
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>>>> anyone offer some advice on how I determine if the existing ball
>>>> joints need to be replaced? Thanks for any advice.

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Blabber - 15 Mar 2008 00:21 GMT

Isn't the link you provided for changing tie rod ends? Maybe I have the
terminology wrong; I'm referring to the joints that hold the hub assembly
'carrier' to the axel and which allow the wheels to turn.

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DougW - 15 Mar 2008 00:47 GMT

> Isn't the link you provided for changing tie rod ends? Maybe I have
> the terminology wrong; I'm referring to the joints that hold the hub
> assembly 'carrier' to the axel and which allow the wheels to turn.

Like I said, it might help. Your terminology is correct.
I haven't done a ball joint yet so that's the closest thing I have.

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DougW

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