Ball Joint ?

[mvent]

Car is a 68 GTX, my ? is it normal to have some play in the upper ball joint unloaded? New front end kit and have been told by Mopar car this is normal.
Thanks
Mike

 

[YY1]

I don't think there should be any play in any of the steering related parts.

 

[Cranky]

How much play does it have? There is a tolerance for replacement but a new joint should be snug.

 

[mvent]

Thanks guys, don't know what the exact amount of play there is but I'm thinking should be none, I do hear the same sound over bumps as I've heard while moving wheel checking the ball joints, ordered a pair of Moog ball joints from Rock Auto today, hope it cures it.
Mike

 

[Secret Chimp]

There should be no play. Tip: you don't need that super-expensive socket to get the ball joints unscrewed from the arms! Get one of those novelty-size crescent wrenches (not a pipe wrench, they slip easily on these joints). I was able to crack mine right off and torque the new ones up securely in a cinch with a $20 wrench from Harbor Freight.

 

[GTXKen]

There should be no play. Tip: you don't need that super-expensive socket to get the ball joints unscrewed from the arms! Get one of those novelty-size crescent wrenches (not a pipe wrench, they slip easily on these joints). I was able to crack mine right off and torque the new ones up securely in a cinch with a $20 wrench from Harbor Freight.

I agree, no play. You can get by without the special socket but it does make the job easy, this last time I used one from my buddy. If you bought a PST kit return it and buy Moog balljoints, they are 10 times better.

 

[Cranky]

If a joint is really tight, that China made crescent can slip off easier than a pipe wrench. I've used both and I finally bought a socket. That socket isn't that expensive and 99% of the slip possibility is gone and good tools pay for themselves and then keeps paying dividends over the years. Plus I'm not going to send my money to a commie country if I can help it...

 

[Secret Chimp]

Well of course they'll slip off if you forget to rinse off the blood of newborns they use as casting release agents.

 

[mvent]

Thanks for all the replies, Moogs should be here tomorrow
Mike

 

[howiedodat]

That's right !! You should buy your chinese tools at sears, like everybody else............