NHTSA Investigates Upper Ball Joints

LibertyTC · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:48 pm **Posts:** 27

Link: NHTSA (INSPECT YOUR UPPER BALL JOINTS TOO !)

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/probl ... mmary=true

From Article:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Ne ... eId=125875

David Jr · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:47 pm

Not Again!

If only those @#$%! Jeep 'engineers' had put grease fittings on the ball joints. This wouldn't even be an issue. I just may replace the factory units with aftermarket parts now.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:16 am

It's not just Jeeps :roll:

Replaced upper balljoints on a low mile Accord recently.

ThunderbirdJunkie's OE upper balljoints are still good after almost 130,000 miles however.

Interesting, eh?

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:01 pm

Factory upper Ball Joints after 156,000KMS. I replaced one at 156,000KMS due too a bad bushing in the arm. Replaced entire arm because the Idiot at the parts desk said that the bushings weren't replaceable. Then the day I picked it up I was told by the smart parts guy that they are available (I have the part# if anyone needs it) so I ordered them and replaced them on the old arm. So now I have a spare.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:06 pm

'Bout time. Been through two OE sets. Using Al's Gen 4.5 arms now. I wonder if they'll issue a recall so we can get reimbursed for replacing them ourselves?

Albert · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:51 pm

Dje Ryu wrote:

'Bout time. Been through two OE sets. Using Al's Gen 4.5 arms now. I wonder if they'll issue a recall so we can get reimbursed for replacing them ourselves?

Save your receipts for the ones you put on and then when the formal recall notice is sent to you contact them and see. I'll bet you will get a refund.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:24 pm

Albert wrote:

Dje Ryu wrote:

'Bout time. Been through two OE sets. Using Al's Gen 4.5 arms now. I wonder if they'll issue a recall so we can get reimbursed for replacing them ourselves?

Save your receipts for the ones you put on and then when the formal recall notice is sent to you contact them and see. I'll bet you will get a refund.

Doubt it will all that's going on,the recall may not even occur on May 1st.Either way your own tax $$$ is paying for it anyways so you are still paying out of pocket anyways.

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:07 pm

How stupid does a corporation, and more importantly, the NHTSA, have to be to recall a SEVEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE to replace a wear item?

The NHTSA should just mandate all vehicles come with grease fittings on all wear parts like balljoints, u-joints ,and tie rod ends and be done with it :roll:

It's their fault they didn't see this trend developing...OOOH... TWO DECADES AGO...

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:17 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

How stupid does a corporation, and more importantly, the NHTSA, have to be to recall a SEVEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE to replace a wear item?

The NHTSA should just mandate all vehicles come with grease fittings on all wear parts like balljoints, u-joints ,and tie rod ends and be done with it :roll:

It's their fault they didn't see this trend developing...OOOH... TWO DECADES AGO...

Yep guess I better start complaining that my brakes,tires,air filter,oil,oil filter,fluids,and spark plugs need changing also :wink:

Those recalls will be out shortly :roll:

Cali KJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 12:46 am

Ok might be stupid question but i'll ask..... What's the differance in the 02-03 and 04+ UCA/ ball joints??? Why is it just those yrs?

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 2:25 am

Same part # listed for all years on ThunderbirdJunkie's end. Troy will probably shed some light on the subject.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:12 am

Yep the '02-'07 KJ uses the same UCA,the KK's have different UCA's that are left/right specific.All made by TRW which is owned by MOOG which makes the OEM LBJ's also but at Chrysler's specs.

ramlebliberty · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:28 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

How stupid does a corporation, and more importantly, the NHTSA, have to be to recall a SEVEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE to replace a wear item?

The NHTSA should just mandate all vehicles come with grease fittings on all wear parts like balljoints, u-joints ,and tie rod ends and be done with it :roll:

It's their fault they didn't see this trend developing...OOOH... TWO DECADES AGO...

Yep guess I better start complaining that my brakes,tires,air filter,oil,oil filter,fluids,and spark plugs need changing also :wink:

Those recalls will be out shortly :roll:

if only that would happen, i'd have enough for a sfa right now!

LibertyTC · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:48 pm **Posts:** 27

For the Lower ball joints it took about 2.5 years to get a recall happening.
The uppers investigation started in mid 06? and could be 2010 or maybe not at all.
I agree that only ball joints with grease nipples only should be installed and regulated.
My inspection for all the ball joints and the rear end / lower control
arms/upper rear ball joint takes place tomorrow.
One thing is certain I will use Moog parts where ever possible as long as they have the nipples, they should be good for years to come.
My Kj is similar to a Willys Jeep...oops Wiggly jeep.

superj · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 12:51 pm

both uppers on my jeep are bad. need to replace them asap but since i have after market upper arm to go on instead i am doing that.

now, how do you get a wrench on that dang rear nut for the driver's side upper arm

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:48 pm

superj wrote:

both uppers on my jeep are bad. need to replace them asap but since i have after market upper arm to go on instead i am doing that.

now, how do you get a wrench on that dang rear nut for the driver's side upper arm

Extensions and a swivel connector should do the trick! :wink:

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:53 pm

I thought the KJ had to be lifted to accomodate Al's UCA's??? Or is there aother UCA out there besides the stock one?

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:01 pm

sleeve84028 wrote:

I thought the KJ had to be lifted to accomodate Al's UCA's??? Or is there aother UCA out there besides the stock one?

Al makes Arms for stock KJ's Too!

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:00 pm

superj wrote:

both uppers on my jeep are bad. need to replace them asap but since i have after market upper arm to go on instead i am doing that.

now, how do you get a wrench on that dang rear nut for the driver's side upper arm

No need to hold the nut,just get a swival and long extension on the bolt and turn,the nut has a welded piece on it that will turn then hit the unibody,then it will not turn anymore and you can unscrew the bolt.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:07 am

cdiekhans wrote:

Al makes Arms for stock KJ's Too!

Oh, I had no idea! My UBJ's are ok at this point (thank goodness for proper cleaning and maintenance) but I have been thinking about replenishing the whole suspension when I hit the 100K mile mark so some better upper arms might be a great add.

NHTSA Investigates Upper Ball Joints

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