Lower ball joint seems too small

[Jmr17320]

Seem the new Spicer 706944X ball joint may be too small? I was able to slide it in by hand almost to its final spot?

Upper is about the same too. Do I need a different ball joint or is this common?

 

[Jmr17320]

FYI
Old ones were knurled.

moog problem solvers?

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

Can't go to Spicers (or ANY smooth body BJ) now that you use knurled. Well you can, but it involves ball peening the hole OR Spicer ball joint body and/or more work

 

[Irun]

If the old ones were knurled, that's the problem. They enlarge the holes. You can dimple the new spicer one and use loctite 680.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/upper-ball-joint-hole-is-too-big.46536/

 

[Jmr17320]

Does dimpling and loctite really work?

Seems like a lot to ask of a simple and thread lock? Not trying to be negative, just want to keep it safe

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

Does dimpling and loctite really work?

Seems like a lot to ask of a simple and thread lock? Not trying to be negative, just want to keep it safe

well many have done it and been very successful OR just get Moog and call it a day

 

[Daryl]

Does dimpling and loctite really work?

Seems like a lot to ask of a simple and thread lock? Not trying to be negative, just want to keep it safe

It works and it’s safe. The lower Joint can’t go anywhere by design and carries the weight. The upper joint forces are mostly lateral. As long as the lack of interference fit isn’t greater than .015 which is the largest gap the loctite 680 will fill, it will work fine.
I wouldn’t install a Moog ball joint even if they were free.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I wouldn’t install a Moog ball joint even if they were free.

Or Synergy.

 

[Jmr17320]

Well several minutes with a hammer and I have a “knurled” spicer ball joint. Waiting on the loctite 680.

 

[mrblaine]

Well several minutes with a hammer and I have a “knurled” spicer ball joint. Waiting on the loctite 680.

View attachment 225919

That is a bit too much but you'll see that when you press it in. For them that asked if it actually works, no difference between this and knurling.

 

[Jmr17320]

That is a bit too much but you'll see that when you press it in. For them that asked if it actually works, no difference between this and knurling.

Please clarify, too much how?
Extending past mounting area?

 

[mrblaine]

Please clarify, too much how?
Extending past mounting area?

Too much interference. We use a sharp punch and do a close pattern about a 1/8 x 1/8 grid and that is way more than enough.

 

[Jmr17320]

I used a sharp center punch but I guess went a little heavy with the hammer. I wanted to be sure I was creating a decent “wave”.
I have the OTC ball joint tool with the Jeep adapters, so hopefully they will go in appropriately and fit snug

 

[chellecifer]

I used a sharp center punch but I guess went a little heavy with the hammer. I wanted to be sure I was creating a decent “wave”.
I have the OTC ball joint tool with the Jeep adapters, so hopefully they will go in appropriately and fit snug

So how did it turn out??

 

[Jmr17320]

So how did it turn out??

Took a lot of force to seat them, but they went in and have been fine