Ball joints Did I get the correct ones?

[Cook76]

Have a 72 bronco - dana 44

Went to napa and got the premium ball joints
ncp 2601343 upper
ncp 2601342 lower

Reason I ask is the groove on the lower bj is not even partially sticking out of the bottom. Cant see it at all and it is seated all the way.

Top bj also seated all the way in and I can see most of the grove for the c-clip. But would still require some extra work to get the clip on the upper one.

The ball joints that came out were the same way and no clip installed. Are all dana 44s used on eb take the same ball joint? These ball joints are also splined where they press in - assuming thats normal also.

Thanks

 

[broncodriver99]

Looks like the correct joint according to the application guide. I am wondering if there is something up with your knuckles since the old joints were the same way.

FYI the upper joint doesn't use a snap ring from the factory. The Moog joints don't even have a provision for it. Have you already pressed in both sides? Can you get a measurement of the thickness of the knuckle where it is machined for the lower? there should be a recess machined in for the joint.

 

[u10072]

Are you sure you didn't have the recess all cleaned out of the knuckle?

 

[Timmy390]

I used NAPA premium in my 79 bronco knuckles when doing my disc conversion and was able to get top and bottom snap rings in without grinding or modifying in any way. Had to lightly tap the uppers in but they went with ease.

Maybe rust scale/buildup dirt, etc. maybe? My knuckles were clean like fresh driven snow.......

Tim

 

[NYLES]

those same ones I used last week........did you notice they only sent one snap ring?

If the bottom is not down enough for the snap ring its NOT fully seated the last 1/8 of an inch on mine were a @$%&$ and there is NO extra clearance.

 

[DirtDonk]

I've seen plenty of variations in the knuckle castings too, to explain why some can get the top ring in and others can't.
But the bottom should be no problem. Especially if you had the ring in on the originals.

Paul

 

[Cook76]

I only have one side apart - cant measure the other - can prob figure it out by measuing the other new unistalled ball joint.

I did clean out the recess.

Im positive it seated all the way. the light coat of grease I put in squeezed out and I could hear the difference in the ring when using the impact.

no rings where on the ball joints that I took out.

 

[NYLES]

the rings on mine were so tight I did em twice to make sure they were in.....ZERO slop space

 

[Cook76]

I will tripple check them again tonight that they are seated all the way.

Does anyone know what the tickness of the knuckle is suppose to be at the lower ball joint?

 

[Cook76]

I checked again to make sure they are seated all the way - cant even get the thinnest feeler gauge in between them.

Took the other two uninstalled ball joints to a different store and they had the moog brand problem slovers and the lowers are identical to the napa brand one. Snap ring is in the same place.

I would recomend using the moog over the napa brand for one reason. cant lube the upper napa brand joint after everything is put back together (no way to get to the zerk fitting) moog is kicked out at an angle off the bottom edge.

Fail to understand why some knuckles would be different thickness at the lower ball joint - unless they are from a different truck? Any ideas?

 

[ransil]

I just put a set of moogs in a few weeks ago, everything fit as it should. I have 79 fseries knuckles

 

[bflippinw]

I put in spicer joints from jbg a few months ago. Knuckles were sandblasted so I know the reces was clean except for a few mils of paint. No way I was gonna get that snap ring in. The joints I took out didn't have rings in either so I didn't worry about it. My build is far from driving though.

 

[NYLES]

I checked again to make sure they are seated all the way - cant even get the thinnest feeler gauge in between them.

Took the other two uninstalled ball joints to a different store and they had the moog brand problem slovers and the lowers are identical to the napa brand one. Snap ring is in the same place.

I would recomend using the moog over the napa brand for one reason. cant lube the upper napa brand joint after everything is put back together (no way to get to the zerk fitting) moog is kicked out at an angle off the bottom edge.

Fail to understand why some knuckles would be different thickness at the lower ball joint - unless they are from a different truck? Any ideas?

If you do use the NAPAs grease before you reinstall the knuckles or each time you have your axles removed, one good greasing should last a long long time!