Ball Joint Install

[broncosam]

I recently purchased one of the C- clamp type tools for installing ball joints, etc. I tried installing new ball joints in my steering knuckles and eveything went OK except one little problem. I can't seem to get them seated far enough to get the snap ring on. I have three different repair manuals, Chilton's, Haynes, and a Ford shop manual. The Chilton's book is the only one that makes reference to the snap ring. My question is , has anyone else run into this ? Have you not been able to get the ball joints seated deep enough to get the snap ring on ? And, how important is the snap ring if Ford doesn't mention it in their service manual ? Sorry for all the questions , but I want to be sure I get this right . Any help on this will be appreciated. Thanks, Sam

 

[Felipe]

I don't know how critical they are but I just took my old ones out and they had no snap ring on them, and I know the p.o. wheeled the crap out of it.

 

[75bronco08]

mean there press fit i wouldnt worry about it.or you could take flat file and remove small amount so you can get snap ring on for peice of mind.

 

[77Red]

I pulled off the dust boot and used one of the sleeves from the ball joint removal/install kit (removed a tiny bit of material from the inside of it first) to get mine in. I also used the adapter piece from the kit, a big socket, extension, and a BFH to get it done. I'm gonna do the driver's side later if you'd like pics of the mess that I used.

 

[broncosam]

Thanks guys, I was just curious to see if anyone else had run into this and to see if it was that important to get the snap ring on.