Thank you all for the good info as usual. We unfortunately(and fortunately)
do not have vehicle inspections here in southern Illinois.
I may take her for a 3rd opinion next week since she wont get many miles on
her during work week(car pool).
Depending on what I get done on my taping and mudding in new bedroom tomorrow,
I may lift with my bottle and try it out.
Thanks again
On Wednesday February 15 2006 12:39 am, Josh Battles wrote:
> On Tue, February 14, 2006 6:55 am, Bill Day wrote:
> > Went in to get my oil changed friday at my local mech, he says my upper
> > left ball joint(driver side) is separating from the cup(while suspended
> > you can see it has alot more space then the passenger side one). So
> > since I just got it back from the dealer witha clean bill of health, I
> > called them up and the wanted it in monday bright and earlier, so away we
> > go, me and the Dak, back to her caregiver.
>
> While you're not supposed to check them this way, that's a definate
> indication of wear.
>
> > I'm in the waiting room and the service manager comes and asks me to come
> > and show him and the alignment tech whats wrong. Well they have it
> > suspended on a 4 post(lower a-arms in front and axle in rear) on an
> > alignment rack. so he has the wheel off and starts prying around no
> > movement.. well no wonder, its all under load at that position. So I
> > explain to them how we noticed it and they don't bother checking it that
> > way, just slaps it together and we go for a test drive.
>
> That's the correct way to check them but it's weird that they didn't find
> any movement. If the ball and cup were seperating that should have been
> almost immediately apparent once they started prying on them.
>
> > Do you think they should have checked them with the truck suspended on
> > the four post or with the suspension completely loose?
>
> The suspension should be at about half-load when you check them. (It
> shouldn't be hanging but it shouldn't be under full load either.)
>
> > What is the worse thing that can happen if that upper driver ball-joint
> > comes loose at say 65 MPH, rollover? Would it have behooved them to
> > check it differently?
>
> Catastropic failure is just that. If that joint failed at highway speeds
> you're in for a world of carnage. Most definately a wheel, control arm,
> and some body panels.
>
> > Who do I trust. My local has been servicing vehicles for many years
> > compared to any one of the tech in that garage. He does not do
> > alignments or ball-joints so he stands to make no momey off if anyway.
>
> Follow your insticts. It sounds to me like the joint needs to be replaced.
> If you can see any movement at all it's bad, it certainly shouldn't
> seperate when the suspension hangs.
>
> It may be worth replacing it yourself, it's not that bad of a job.
--Bill Day
"A rich man isn't always wealthy, he just has all the love he can give and ever wanted.." http://counter.li.org #384146 284016
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