Rear upper suspension link

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2007 4:55 pm

Hey all,

Tried to do some searches but could not find anything. Has anyone had trouble with the ball joint going out on the rear upper suspension link?(boomerang connected to the rear axle)

Over the last while the Libby's been sounding like a 80 year old buggy going down the street. Make all sorts of rude grunting and squeakin and grindin noises. Finally got it in to the shop and my guy is tellin me that the balljoint is completely shot. Too much flexin I guess

. He's got the part on order for me, and I'm waitin on a quote from him on how much labor is involved in the job. Anyone have similar troubles? How involved is it to swap this out?

Oh yeah we also found that i have a bad pinion seal. :roll:

Life goes on. When you beat on your rig, I guess you have to expect a little payback here and there! :wink:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue May 22, 2007 5:55 pm

Ive always wondered if anyone has had any trouble outta that joint. Seems like it would be under alot of torque when accelerating or flexing offroad. This is the first post Ive seen about anyone having trouble with it.

I had that A-Arm off a few days ago(to paint) and I cleaned it out and pumped it full of new grease. Hopefully that will make it last alittle longer. I also did that to my tie rod ends. Ive tried the upper balljoints on the front but I just cannot do it.. I get aggravated and just put it all back together.

chefdab · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 5:59 pm

I know JeepinAl replaced his balljoint on the tri-link, but then again, what didn't he replace on that suspension?

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 8:28 pm

So I got it back from the shop this afternoon, drives great and not a squeak, ping, or grind to be heard. 65 bucks for the balljoint, and 2 hours labor to rip the old one out and install the new one. Not bad. I was worried it would be a complete axle drop to get that thing replaced. I don't know if it's just in my head, but it seems to handle a lot better now. Rear end does not feel as loose. I think that ball joint had been bad for a while, cuz this is the best the jeep has handled in a very long time.

I guess we'll see how long this one lasts.

cheers.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 8:36 pm

I didnt think you could just replace the joint.. thats a good thing to know I guess..

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 8:44 pm

got a part number for that ball joint? I'd like to replace mine with a grease-able unit, if there is one.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 8:48 pm

Dje Ryu wrote:

got a part number for that ball joint? I'd like to replace mine with a grease-able unit, if there is one.

The part # is 52088647AB,as of right now no aftermarket(that I'm aware of,looked a few months ago myself but to no avail) greaseable rear upper balljoint,yet.They are pressed in/out like the LBJ's on the front suspension.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 8:53 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Dje Ryu wrote:

got a part number for that ball joint? I'd like to replace mine with a grease-able unit, if there is one.

The part # is 52088647AB,as of right now no aftermarket(that I'm aware of,looked a few months ago myself but to no avail) greaseable rear upper balljoint,yet.They are pressed in/out like the LBJ's on the front suspension.

Thanks. Guess I'll just wait 'til mine goes out or a better solution becomes available.

myjeepwalks · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 8:58 pm

I'm surprised someone hasn't built a new boomerang setup to go with new lower control arms yet.

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 9:25 pm

Some common part numbers for the rear and front susp:

http://www.crownautomotive.net/catalog/steering/KJ.htm

Their catalog covers a lot of stuff for the KJ:

http://www.crownautomotive.net/catalog/index.html

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 9:43 pm

How do you press that thing out? The back of it is HUGE. Ive never seen a press kit with a piece big enough to go over it.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed May 23, 2007 9:59 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

How do you press that thing out? The back of it is HUGE. Ive never seen a press kit with a piece big enough to go over it.

With Miller special tools----Balljoint press # C-4212F and Remover/Installer,Rear UBJ adapters # 8861-1,8861-2,and 8861-3.

Rear upper suspension link

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