Really tight steering....

[shaunroche]

Hi chaps, with the track rods undone and out of the way, the wheels are really difficult to move, as though the ball joints are really tight.
Could over tightening cause this?

[sprint95m]

Have the balljoints been rebuilt?




Ian.

[xvivalve]

...or are they the recent aftermarket ones?

[Carledo]

How tight you do up the taper nut - or the 2 fitting bolts - has NO effect on the balljoint's coefficient of friction.

As Alun has hinted, some recent aftermarket balljoints have been a little overtight from the factory in whereverthehell they make them.

You should be able to turn an individual hub with 1 finger on bottom balljoint arm with the wheel in the air and the track rod disconnected. If you can't, the balljoints themselves are to blame!

Steve

[shaunroche]

Thought as much.

They're new from Rimmers 2000 miles ago so you tell me.

Needless to say, moving them with one finger is absolutely not possible!

Thanks for the confirmation fellas.

Trouble is, which do I change, the top, the bottom or all of them?

[MIG Wielder]

Having got that far with dismantling , if you release the 3 bolts connecting the top ball joint to the upright does that sort it ?
Interesting problem. Please let us know how it goes.
Tony.

[soe8m]

I alway's fit a grease nipple to a balljoint before I fit them. The uppers on top and the lower at the side. Just drill a hole, taper a tread and fit a nipple. Some decent grease in it and they last much longer. New parts almost never have grease in them.

Jeroen

[shaunroche]

I alway's fit a grease nipple to a balljoint.....

That sounds like a plan!