Lower ball joint tolerances
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Lower ball joint tolerances
Have a question about the lower ball joints dimensions. I went to replace mine and it seemed like it was taking way too much force to press it in, so I stopped and took some measurements. The hole in the lower control arm and it was 2.065" and the ball joint was at 2.089"! 
This seemed way too big so I measured the old one that I took out and it was not the same in every direction, but was around 2.070 to 2.075. This seems more reasonable to me. My factory manual and Chilton's do not say anything about the fit. I guess they figure the replacement part is the right size. I ended up putting the ball joint in a lathe and took it down to 2.071. It was snug using a press but did not require a lot of force.
Anyone else run into this or know how much larger the ball joint should be than the hole in the arm? I would think most press fit parts should be under .002", but with steel going into aluminum it might be OK up to .008". What do you guys think?
This seemed way too big so I measured the old one that I took out and it was not the same in every direction, but was around 2.070 to 2.075. This seems more reasonable to me. My factory manual and Chilton's do not say anything about the fit. I guess they figure the replacement part is the right size. I ended up putting the ball joint in a lathe and took it down to 2.071. It was snug using a press but did not require a lot of force.Anyone else run into this or know how much larger the ball joint should be than the hole in the arm? I would think most press fit parts should be under .002", but with steel going into aluminum it might be OK up to .008". What do you guys think?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I didn't use a press, but I did use a ball joint install and removal tool - essentially a large C-clamp.
There were no such fitment problems. It was tight, don't get me wrong, but I don't remember that much of a problem.
There were no such fitment problems. It was tight, don't get me wrong, but I don't remember that much of a problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
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From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
