Upper Ball Joint Contact

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:51 pm

So I was out doing some "mild" fourwheeling (rutted fire roads) and I could hear the dreaded upper ball joint contact. I returned the strut to its original location in the clevis. I still have contact. I know it's due to my lift (Rusty's spacer) but I don't want to get rid of the lift because it's all I can afford for the next 6 months... Is there a way for me to fix it without buying Al's control arms or is that my best bet? I honestly don't have the money right now to do that...So what are the long term side effects of UBJ contact? Can I grind away part of the upper control arm to fix it? Any help is greatly appreciated.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2006 4:56 pm

Find a piece of poly or hard rubber and build an isolator to go between the coil and arm/ball joint. IT will still contact, but will at least have a cushion to hit.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:03 pm

thanks, looks like I am going to the hardware store...

KJ79 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:33 am

I cut a 1/2" thick slice of a rubber keel roller of a boat trailer - like a small donut. Bought the roller at an automotive/trailer supply store for abt.$15 this will make as much as 10 donuts! Drilled some small holes thru it and clipped it with 2 tyraps criss-cross over the 'point of contact'. Worked like a charm for me for years (this was with the RRO spacers on my 2002KJ).

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 4:09 am

good plan-i have to run over to US Marine anyways to pick up my dad's birthday present (ship to shore radio) I will pick that up and the same time. How thick should I cut these donuts?

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 10:40 am

Can you take some pictures of this while you do it? I would be interested to see how this ends up...

-Nick

KJ79 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2006 2:05 am

The size was as I recall 1/2" by abt.2.25". I drilled 3/32" holes crosswise thru the donut , that is to say perpendicular to the hole and crossing the hole in the donut. I laced the 2 tywraps (use the black industrial type!), thru the holes at 90 degree angles and than strapped around the ball joint also at 90 degree angles. Make sure you pull the tywrap super tight, otherwise they will move around a bit.

If it helps I can email you a couple of pictures, just pm your email address.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2006 4:46 am

I will take pics but I will warn you it may be a month before it gets done. I have a busy month a head of me (work work work)

Upper Ball Joint Contact

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