Ball Joint Adjusting Sleeve

[TheWhiteElephant]

Hello, all. I just replaced the ball joints on my '73 Chevrolet K20 with a Dana 44 front end. I did everything in the right order:

1) Tighten lower ball joint to 70 ft/lbs

2) Tighten upper ball joint adjusting sleeve to 50 ft/lbs (per GM specs)

3) Tighten upper ball joint castle nut to 100 ft/lbs.

When I tightened the adjusting sleeve on the upper ball joint stud to 50 ft/lbs, about 2 threads are visible under the axle "big C". Will this be an issue? Moog actually asks for the sleeve to be tightened to 70 ft/lbs, but I think that would have been overkill. When I removed the old adjusting sleeve, it sat flush in the big C.

I did everything per the Haynes, Chilton, and OEM assembly manual. The manuals call to check preload with a fish weighing scale, and it is supposed to be no more than 25 lbs of force when turning the spindles. It does feel more than that, but I'm assuming I have to allow for break-in.

I will post a how-to article with a lot of pictures in the near future. Thanks for all the advice.

[gcsupraman]

Can't wait for the photos and "how to". Im ordering these tonight to fix caster issues on my truck

-Greg

[Burt4x4]

First ~ Good job buying Moog! Great stuff!
Second ~ I don't recall everseeing threads. I haven't had a D44 in years but I did the same swap before and I just don't remember seeing them..Is it wrong? I don't know! You double checked your part numbers and all?
Put the tire on and see if you can rock in/out top/bottom. ANY movement is bad. If it doesn't rock...run it!
Good Luck

[TheWhiteElephant]

Originally Posted by Burt4x4

First ~ Good job buying Moog! Great stuff!
Second ~ I don't recall everseeing threads. I haven't had a D44 in years but I did the same swap before and I just don't remember seeing them..Is it wrong? I don't know! You double checked your part numbers and all?
Put the tire on and see if you can rock in/out top/bottom. ANY movement is bad. If it doesn't rock...run it!
Good Luck

Yeah, everything was done right. Those threads are from the adjusting sleeve, the one that is tightened into the axle housing with the spanner wrench, and not from the ball joint itself. I'm going to loosen everything up and re-tighten everything. I haven't greased them, either, so that may help. I'll post results.

[Burt4x4]

Ya I know, I have the socket still hehehe. Well if ya pull um apart again I would check the threads and ensure thoes suckers are seatin all the way in..if so Run It! Ha!

[TheWhiteElephant]

Originally Posted by Burt4x4

Ya I know, I have the socket still hehehe. Well if ya pull um apart again I would check the threads and ensure thoes suckers are seatin all the way in..if so Run It! Ha!

You know, after I installed the bjoints the spindles felt pretty tight. A lot of threads floating around on the internet 4X4 forums with people complaining about the tightness of the Moogs and no one can figure it out.

Last night I got back out there and removed them and reinstalled them again (for a total of 3 times) and by gosh, I think I figured it out. They feel great now and in fact might feel a little too easy to turn, but I'll test them with a scale. I'll be sure to post a thread with the how-to pretty soon.

By the way, are you the same Burt from ColoradoK5? I think I remember you from back in the day when I had my Blazer.

[Husker]

White elephant what did you find on this? I am getting ready to change mine out.
Thanks
Ron

[TheWhiteElephant]

I got it all figured out. From my previous post:

"Last night I got back out there and removed them and reinstalled them again (for a total of 3 times) and by gosh, I think I figured it out. They feel great now and in fact might feel a little too easy to turn, but I'll test them with a scale. I'll be sure to post a thread with the how-to pretty soon."

If you want a detailed how-to, check out my build thread. I believe the trick is just to tighten, loosen, and re-tighten a few times. Mine feel great now. I never got to test them with a scale, but yesterday I managed to put most everything back together and drove it up and down the driveway, back and forth a few yards on the street, and all seems well.

If you need any help, I'd be happy to help, just shoot me a PM. It's a pretty straight forward operation.

[TheWhiteElephant]

Scroll towards the bottom here...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=430367&page=6

[Erik V]

edit: because I didnt re-read which thread I was in.

Deleted all my pointless questions, sorry.

Erik

[TheWhiteElephant]

Originally Posted by Erik V

edit: because I didnt re-read which thread I was in.

Deleted all my pointless questions, sorry.

Erik

No prob, just answered your question in the other thread.

[Husker]

Nice build thread Elephant, Thanks for the tips.
Ron