Lower Ball Joint out of the knuckle!!!

radame · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:26 pm

This weekend when I tried to put some grease in my MOOG LBJ I found out that the right lbj was out of the knuckle!!!!!

When the KJ is not suspended in the air the lbj is in it correct position, BUT when the KJ was lifted the lbj was pulled out from the knuckle, the lbj is not damaged.

I remove the knuckle and I found that the hole for the lbj for some reason was deformed (I don't know the correct expression) and now it is bigger
As I could not get another knuckle I decided for a temporal solution, I put 3 solder joints between the lbj and the knuckle

Here you can see the pics for this

DOES ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE?????

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:40 pm

Uh...is it just me or is there a giant crack running through your knuckle? I wouldn't trust that setup as far as I could throw it to be honest...

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:48 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Uh...is it just me or is there a giant crack running through your knuckle? I wouldn't trust that setup as far as I could throw it to be honest...

Thats what I was looking at as well, think he has some serious problems there

Endurance · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:59 pm

tommudd wrote:

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Uh...is it just me or is there a giant crack running through your knuckle? I wouldn't trust that setup as far as I could throw it to be honest...

Thats what I was looking at as well, think he has some serious problems there

Might just be a scratch.

bighause · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:44 pm

I haven't read about anyone having that problem before, but I really hope you don't plan on driving it with a soldered ball joint!

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:48 pm

Yikes.....definitely NOT safe to drive!! :shock:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:20 pm

JJKJ had the same problem. This is only the second time Ive heard of this happening. Im not sure if its a problem with the ball joints or the knuckle.

Mine were pretty freaking hard to get back into the knuckle so I dont think mine will be going anywhere.

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:42 pm

that is NOT a scratch...that's definitely a crack. scratches aren't uniform through irregular surfaces...that vehicle is UNSAFE. get a NEW balljoint and a NEW knuckle ASAP!

bugnout · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:51 pm

Looks like a crack, but could also be the grease spatter from heating up the ball joint. looks like there is a discontinuity in the middle Photo is too grainy to really tell.

Definitely worth taking a close look.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:57 pm

Yep, here is mine...

I fixed it though.......

MP Jeeper · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:21 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Yep, here is mine...

I fixed it though.......

Yeah, you fixed it alright . . . . i'm so jealous.

radame · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:30 pm

Hey guys, thanks for your concern, but stop....
This is not an scratch or crack

Sorry but the pics have not good resolution as I took them with my stupid cellphone

bugnout wrote:

Looks like a crack, but could also be the grease spatter from heating up the ball joint. looks like there is a discontinuity in the middle Photo is too grainy to really tell.

Definitely worth taking a close look.

As you mentioned bugnout, that was grease, BUT not from the lbj or my KJ, we were working on other car and a guy put some grease bottle near the knuckle and he spill some of it over the knuckle

The problem is in the knuckle, I have an extra pair of lbj and I tried to insert into the knuckle and I could, with not too much force, the lbj is not older than 2 months, the hole is bigger but there is no indication of a crack on it

Anyway, I am looking for a newone and I hope to replace it on this week

Troysterr · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:38 pm

I had the same thing happen, about a year after I installed the Moogs. I figured I'd have to get a new knuckle, but a mechanic buddy of mine (very carefully) welded the joint onto the knuckle. So far no problems, but I'm keeping a close eye on it.

Actually, I don't have to watch it too closely--if it ever breaks loose I'll be able to hear it from inside the cabin. When it broke loose it was pretty noisy going over bumps.

Edvalencia · **Posted:** Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:45 pm

JJ you crack me up :-)r

kolesy · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:21 am

JJ quit showin off!!!! :twisted:

Uffe · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:30 am

Endurance wrote:

Might just be a scratch.

Haha, sorry mate - how the hell can you scratch that area like that?? :lol:

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:41 pm

kolesy wrote:

JJ quit showin off!!!! :twisted:

I have to agree

pretty funny though

radame · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 6:51 pm

Finally I replaced the knuckle on my KJ, I delayed this for so long time!!
But now no more problems, also I found that suspension needed some adjustment, there were some noises, the bolts in the lower arms where unthigtened!!!

Thanks to all for your comments!!

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 10:45 pm

Have you been driving on it that long with it welded like that?

Glad it all worked out.

radame · **Posted:** Thu May 29, 2008 2:56 pm

Yes I was driving with that condition for some weeks, just from my home to my work and return, I live 10 minutes away from my work and also I stop jeeping for a while untill I fix this problem.

Thanks for your concern and comments.

In a few weeks I will travel to the north of the country and I will post some pictures of my trip

Lower Ball Joint out of the knuckle!!!

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