Paulos
Active Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2018
- Messages
- 479
- Reaction score
- 210
- Points
- 43
- Location
- North Carolina
- Vehicle Year
- 1987 STX
- Make / Model
- Ranger
- Engine Type
- 2.9 V6
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
Hey everybody.
I replaced the ball joints, axle pivot bushings, and radius arm bushings in my '87 4x4 Ranger recently, and the ball joints are tight. Tight enough that it was obvious when I installed the steering knuckles. When I drive it, the steering wheel will not return to center on it's own (it tries, but makes it approximately 50%). I've never had this happen before that I can recall, and I was hoping that it would loosen up a bit as I drove it.
I just got back from trying to get it aligned. I found a good little shop in the country that was run by a couple of older guys (well, a little older than me anyway ) and they seemed to be a lot more competent than the people I've encountered in the past. They told me they wouldn't align it until I fixed the binding problem; which means, install quality (aka Moog) ball joints. They asked me what brand the ball joints were (I couldn't remember "Mevotech", a Rock Auto special), and that they have found that the lower and even mid-grade ball joints have a tendency to do this, especially on these Rangers. They said they've had no issues with Moog ball joints.
Being my daily driver, I don't have a couple days to do this again (nor do I really want to ). The mechanic said they wouldn't loosen up by driving the truck, so I'm going to have to attempt to install the new adjustable camber bushings I bought, just so the camber isn't so bad (it's obviously on the positive side). Anybody experienced this before? Anyone have new ball joints loosen up (in a good way) after they were installed tight? I followed Ford's torqueing technique and used a ball joint press, so it couldn't be due to an error on my part . Any help/opinions would be appreciated.
I replaced the ball joints, axle pivot bushings, and radius arm bushings in my '87 4x4 Ranger recently, and the ball joints are tight. Tight enough that it was obvious when I installed the steering knuckles. When I drive it, the steering wheel will not return to center on it's own (it tries, but makes it approximately 50%). I've never had this happen before that I can recall, and I was hoping that it would loosen up a bit as I drove it.
I just got back from trying to get it aligned. I found a good little shop in the country that was run by a couple of older guys (well, a little older than me anyway ) and they seemed to be a lot more competent than the people I've encountered in the past. They told me they wouldn't align it until I fixed the binding problem; which means, install quality (aka Moog) ball joints. They asked me what brand the ball joints were (I couldn't remember "Mevotech", a Rock Auto special), and that they have found that the lower and even mid-grade ball joints have a tendency to do this, especially on these Rangers. They said they've had no issues with Moog ball joints.
Being my daily driver, I don't have a couple days to do this again (nor do I really want to ). The mechanic said they wouldn't loosen up by driving the truck, so I'm going to have to attempt to install the new adjustable camber bushings I bought, just so the camber isn't so bad (it's obviously on the positive side). Anybody experienced this before? Anyone have new ball joints loosen up (in a good way) after they were installed tight? I followed Ford's torqueing technique and used a ball joint press, so it couldn't be due to an error on my part . Any help/opinions would be appreciated.