Bad ball joint?

[Fatstang]

I noticed yesterday at the track that when carring 4th gear thru the traps, the front seemed to shake or shutter, Greg drove my car, not sure if he notice? This is the first run since it installed my tubular k-member and LT's, and i noticed that the passenger side ball joint had grease around the seam that attaches to the A-arm, when reinstalling the arm to the k-member. I got careless and had the a-arms on the floor with the spindle stressing the joint. I'm not going to try the warranty thru FORD, they'll say i did it when i did the k-member, which they are right :rolleyes: What are the symptoms of a bad ball joint? I know Auto Zone rents out a ball joint pressor so i plan to attempt to do it myself if that's the case. how much is a ball joint, and is it easy to change? Does any one have a ball joint laying around or can get me a hook up price for one?

[Kool Rock Steady]

I can get you a good price through AutoZone. You will probably want a alignment too.

[BP Convt]

I have never known a ball joint to cause a vibration or shake in the front end. If it is a vibration then it is most likely a rotating part like a wheel/tire, rotor, driveshaft, axle, etc.

[Greg@GLD]

I didn't notice anything? But tell you what man, I drove that car like I stole the damn thing. :D Never lifted from the time I launched until the win light flashed in my lane. Did you notice this after I drove the car or before? I probably busted something... I've been known to do that. Ask James. :thud:
Seriously, if you installed a tubular K-member and LT's you probably have a header tube touching or resting on the k-member or subframe somewhere.

[Fatstang]

I didn't notice anything? But tell you what man, I drove that car like I stole the damn thing. :D Never lifted from the time I launched until the win light flashed in my lane. Did you notice this after I drove the car or before? I probably busted something... I've been known to do that.

No, i noticed that in the very first run of the day, but really didn't in the others :shrug: Maybe i just had to torque down the lugs? Or maybe i was in a grove or something? Ah, i just thought of something, it was my tire pressure i bet, ran the nitto's the lowest i've had them at 12psi, when you drove it Greg, i bumped it to 15psi. I'll crawl underneath it tomorrow just to double check. If it was a bad ball joint, i should notice it at any speed, not 100+ right?

[Greg@GLD]

Yes but I doubt that was the problem. I didn't feel a THING man, the car felt good to me, and I am pretty sensitive to these things. Also, just so people don't think I intentionally abuse the cars people let me drive- I asked about your axles and when you said you had 31's I figured since it wasn't on slicks I wasn't gonna hurt anything, and let's face it, I have a reputation to uphold! So I let it all hang out. I think you should be charting your passes also, my first time in the car, I shifted way higher than you told me to, look at the result. ;)
Sorry to hijack your thread. Keep a racer's log Steven. :D

[quietflow]

A balljoint shouldnt cause a vibration at high speeds. Loose ball joints can cause clunks, and uneven tire wear but I have never seen one cause a vibration yet. It sounds like a tire pressure thing to me seen as you didnt notice it after you changed that! Changing the ball joints isnt terrible if you have a good ball joint press. The ball joint shouldnt effect the alignment at all if its a press in type. Some of the newer explorers and rangers have adjusters on the upper ball joint, so as long as you dont see any adjusters you are good to go!

[Fatstang]

Markstang did send me a Racer's Log from Jegs, i did log my runs, but not the one i missed 3rd on. It is coming in handy, i just need those 60' to be consistient in the 1.8's and lower.

[ntastng]

did you hear any clunks coming from that side of the car when you let it down off the jack stands. Cause if a ball joint was bad you definately would of heard something as soon as that wheel started touching the floor.

[Fatstang]

did you hear any clunks coming from that side of the car when you let it down off the jack stands. Cause if a ball joint was bad you definately would of heard something as soon as that wheel started touching the floor.

You know, i do get a clunk once in awhile when i go up my curb into my driveway, and i know those are the stock A-arms with the QA1 K-member. I was told to put washers in between them. I did, but i need thicker ones to help shim it better, it could of been that?

[Kool Rock Steady]

another hijack but greg what did you get it to run?

[Greg@GLD]

I seem to recall 13.5x@103.x
Picked up around .2 and 1 MPH. It was the first time I ever drove it, I think it can go faster. Not dissing my buddy Steve, it's just that I've gone 13.20's on only 102MPH before. My 60 foot time was really not very good. I think if Steve went with M/T Dr's that car would run near a 12-second pass...

[Jesse James]

Here comes amother hi-jack! LOL Well, you said you put washers in there for spacers? This could very well be the source, and only noticeable under certain load conditions. You put the original stuff back on the car after the k member install? Did it vibrate when you were braking after the run? Sorry so many questions. I had some vibes when I changed springs, geometry was all outta whack, and had some hi-speed vibes too, alleviated with new bump steer kit & X2 balljoints. My long tubes were also vibrating against the cross member. You'll need a fork and a small dead blow type hammer along with the press. As far as Greg and your car breakin, he's a maniac, don't let him drive it! j/k Greg drove my old 03 Cobra and had a new clutch assy fail at Milan. Not his fault at all, even drove the 500hp beast stuck in gear to the dealership for me!! "I'm sure that after that ride that's why he bought a mod motor! LOL

[Fatstang]

LOL Well, you said you put washers in there for spacers? This could very well be the source, and only noticeable under certain load conditions. You put the original stuff back on the car after the k member install? Did it vibrate when you were braking after the run? Sorry so many questions. I had some vibes when I changed springs, geometry was all outta whack, and had some hi-speed vibes too, alleviated with new bump steer kit & X2 balljoints. My long tubes were also vibrating against the cross member. You'll need a fork and a small dead blow type hammer along with the press. LOL

I checked the clearance of the k-member and the LT's and i have 3" of clearance on the driver side and 1" on the passenger side with no signs of contact so that factor is out. I am using my stock a-arms and springs (used to have 4cyl springs, but too low). The car is about an inch lower up front with i know screwed up the geometry. I was thinking of getting the x2 ball joints when the time comes. I don't remember if it shuttered during braking? I kind of tap them though when slowing down so they don't get too hot.

[Kirk]

How did it feel on the drive home?

[Fatstang]

How did it feel on the drive home?

Fine, that's the funny thing. I think i need to get under the car and torque some bolts just to be safe.

[Jesse James]

Check to see if the mating surface of the balljoint is flush in the cup too "the bottom side".

[Fatstang]

Check to see if the mating surface of the balljoint is flush in the cup too "the bottom side".

It seems flush

[quietflow]

It still sounds like it was your tire pressure to me. Once you changed that you didnt notice this anymore correct?

[Fatstang]

It still sounds like it was your tire pressure to me. Once you changed that you didnt notice this anymore correct?

Yes, it was my first time running that low of psi(12), usaully it's fine at 14psi.

[Ghost]

Yes, it was my first time running that low of psi(12), usaully it's fine at 14psi.


steve it was more then likely the tire pressure I had mine at 12 and it does the same thing

as my mom would say your just a worry wart :icon_moon



and I have to agree with greg that car will run close to a 12 once the 60',car and driver come togather and has some good air

I rechecked the air from that day off of a site and not my phone and the d/a was said to be around 2150 so to be safe I would say it was between 1750-2150