Need help with front suspension

[StealthSRT10]

So long story short i swapped out all my ball joints and bushings and tierods. Everything is installed correctly but it seems that something isnt right. I lost about 25% of my front tires after a 70 mile trip. The car was kinda all over the road when i hit a bump but straight other than that. So i got home and noticed that the front tires, one worse than the other, were tilted in at the top. Negative camber. So i backed the car in to look at it and noticed the wheel straightend up. I lifted car up and there is no play in the wheel in any direction. I know that i need an alignment but i wouldnt think it would move like that. Just dont want to have to get 2 alignments. Any ideas?

[StealthSRT10]

my alignment was pretty good before. which is kinda weird considering all the bushings were shot

[jopizz]

Did you remove the upper control arms? If so did you put the shims back where they were. If the wheel is tilting in at the top then it's either the upper ball joint or the upper control arm shims are missing. I would check the upper ball joint bolts to make sure they're still tight. Use the diagram as a reference. I have seen people install the ball joints incorrectly or forget to put the shims back in. When you get the alignment the shop will usually remove the old shims and put new ones in.

John
60 ball joint.jpg

[simplyconnected]

I recall another member with a similar problem. Turned out, he installed his upper ball joints from the bottom, not the top. Two things come to mind:

• I always take pictures of the job as I go. It takes a little while longer to wipe your hands and pick up the camera but the rewards are great.
• I never do both sides at once because I use 'the other side' as a reference (along with the pictures).

If you look closely at John's illustration, the upper ball joint descends from the top.
We found some ball joints were manufactured wrong and they don't fit. More specifically, the folded-over tabs did not allow the ball joints to sit flat in the control arm. This was disconcerting because they were purchased from a MAJOR classic car parts supplier.

Check out Randy Harsha's picture:
27251335310_4ff2ea7545_c.jpg

[9310alloy]

Lower A arm & bushings & shims all snug..?? No for & aft movement..?? A loose lower A arm can cause above issues also.. Double check....

[bygrace]

Are your lower ball joint mounting flanges UNDER the control arm? I once had a shop install them on top. Took it back to them pretty quick for the same symptoms you describe.

[StealthSRT10]

The shims are in the same locations as before. upper ball joints are mounted from the top as is in the picture. everything appears to be tight. i bought a case of shims and am going to get it aligned then go from there. unfortunatly most places wont touch a classic car for an alignment.

[StealthSRT10]

OX1 made a recommendation on the upper joints he got. I think im going to buy those and see if the tabs mount more flush than the ones i have. That may be the issue. Honestly couldnt imagine what else it could be than that. i know the current ones dont go down as far as the originals.

[StealthSRT10]

I suppose i could take the ones i have off and grind the tabs off and weld the joints if it looks like it needs it first just to see.

[p38fighter]

I know you said you jacked up the front end and checked the bearing play. But did you check to see if you had a bent rim?

[simplyconnected]

... i know the current ones dont go down as far as the originals.

That's precisely why I showed the picture. DO NOT alter the ball joints. Send the ones you have back because they don't fit.
Look at both ball joints. The one on the left is OEM. Now, look at the radius where the flange meets the middle. The one on the right's radius is WAY too wide and it doesn't fit the hole. So, there are TWO issues with these ball joints. The tabs don't sit into their pockets and the flange doesn't fit the upper control arm hole.

BallJoints.png
I can't imagine a mechanic trying to stuff this ball joint into a hole it doesn't fit. It's no wonder your suspension tears up your tires.
Randy Harsha, thanks again for your pictures. - Dave

[StealthSRT10]

That's precisely why I showed the picture. DO NOT alter the ball joints. Send the ones you have back because they don't fit.
Look at both ball joints. The one on the left is OEM. Now, look at the radius where the flange meets the middle. The one on the right's radius is WAY too wide and it doesn't fit the hole. So, there are TWO issues with these ball joints. The tabs don't sit into their pockets and the flange doesn't fit the upper control arm hole.

BallJoints.png
I can't imagine a mechanic trying to stuff this ball joint into a hole it doesn't fit. It's no wonder your suspension tears up your tires.
Randy Harsha, thanks again for your pictures. - Dave

I ordered the moog ones. the ones i have came in a full kit so cant send them back but is what it is. They actually fit in just fine and didnt have any play but i cant flex 4000 lbs like gravity can. ill update yall when i install the new ones. thanks for everyones insight.

[StealthSRT10]

I know you said you jacked up the front end and checked the bearing play. But did you check to see if you had a bent rim?

I didnt check the rims as they have been fine and i havent hit anything. they are aluminum take offs from a ranger. also no vibration going down road.

[simplyconnected]

...i know the current ones dont go down as far as the originals.

...They actually fit in just fine and didnt have any play but i cant flex 4000 lbs like gravity can....

Both of these statements can't be true. Ball joints must sit flush in the control arm hole before being bolted.

Let's see some pictures of your installation so we can see what's happening.

BTW, I think that over half of wrong parts never get sent back and vendors count on it. You might help others to avoid your issue if we know who you bought from. I'm not saying our vendors are crooked but if they can peddle 'bad parts' on customers who don't complain then they can deplete their stock and make a profit without sending it back to China. - Dave

[StealthSRT10]

I installed the moog ones and they are the correct shape and they have no tabs. It seems like its still doing it but its not as bad. im going to get an alignment and go from there. ill take some pictures when i get a chance.