Is this right? Anybody else experience this?

[BTR]

2000 Explorer XLT, 4.0 SOHC, 2WD, 124,000 miles.

I pressed out the passenger-side lower ball joint and pressed in a new, standard-size Moog Problem Solver (K8695T). Once completely pressed in, the new ball joint is so loose that I can spin it around in circles. I didn't beat the old one out nor the new one in... I used a loaner ball joint tool from Advance Auto.

Is it normal that a standard-size ball joint would be this loose? Now, to fix this, I have to go get a oversize ball joint (Moog Problem Solver K8695T006) and install it.

Anybody else experience this?

 

[koda2000]

Your lower control arm ball joint hole is worn. Moog makes a special size lower ball joint (MOOG K8695T006 very slightly larger in diameter) to fit a worn hole, our you could replace the entire control arm.

Description from RockAuto on-line catalog:
MOOG K8695T006 Problem Solver; .006 Oversize
Front Lower; Oversized Ball Joint; Fits Control Arm With 1.749" to 1.753" Inside Diameter.

 

[BTR]

Yes, I'm aware of the oversize ball joint MOOG K8695T006. Thanks for sharing. I have one coming here in about 1-hour. It'll be easy to install, and then I can get back on the road. I'm curious to know if anyone has had this issue. The ball joint I removed is from the factory, i.e., the ball joint has never been replaced. It seems odd to me that it now needs the oversize ball joint, especially since the factory ball joint was very solidly in place.

 

[koda2000]

I've replaced what I believe to be the original OE ball joints on 5 of our Explorers/Mountaineers to date. All had around 200k or more on them and all the replacement ball joints were just as tight to install as the ones I removed. I don't know why yours was a loose fit, but the fact that Moog offers one that's .006" larger must mean that it happens.

 

[swshawaii]

Agree, very unusual. Was the driver side replaced and loose? IIRC, Raybestos also offered an oversized lower at one time.

The lower ball joint receptaclehas been known to experience wear, especially when the ball joint has been replaced several times. If a traditional ball joint is installed in this situation, it will move and shift during operation, which can quickly wear out and damage the control arm, as well as causing unsafe handling issues.

http://www.moogparts.com/pdf/problemsolver/english/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_29009_K8695T006_En.pdf

 

[MAS Tequila]

On my 2000 V8 there wasn't a need for oversize on either lower ball joint.

I believe that the uppers are pretty much just replace the entire control arm.

 

[BTR]

Agree, very unusual. Was the driver side replaced and loose? IIRC, Raybestos also offered an oversized lower at one time.


http://www.moogparts.com/pdf/problemsolver/english/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_29009_K8695T006_En.pdf

So far, I've replaced only the lower passenger-side. Next, I plan to replace the lower driver's-side. It will be interesting to see if it too requires an oversize joint. I know one thing for sure, when I start the driver's-side replacement, I'll have two new joints on hand... one standard size and one oversize!