[lvsqcsl]

Hi Guys,

I recently replaced the balljoints on my friend's '03 Excursion. The 4wd works fine, but the steering is so stiff and tacky. It seems that you can make a steering correction and the truck continues to go that direction. A person has to constantly fight the wheel to keep the truck straight. What do you think I did wrong, if anything? Will those new suspension parts need a "break-in" period? Thanks in advance. Craig.

 

[caryt]

How was it before you replaced the ball joints...FYI new parts don't ever need a brake in period.

Cary

 

[lvsqcsl]

Thanks for your reply 'cary,

It was just fine. I'm thinking that I may have overtightened those castellated nuts. I may need to rethink that. I have replaced suspension parts before and all was well. It just seems very stiff. Again, thanks for your reply. Craig.

 

[Bruce1954]

I had a similar experience with ball joints on a Bronco.

Shortly after install it got very stiff and noisy, turned out the lube-able ball joints had no lube in them, not from the factory or the installer.

Five minutes under the truck with a grease gun and a few turns of the wheels and all was well.

Not saying this is your problem but did you install lube-able joints? Did you lube them or were they lubed?

Just a thought

I don't think the nuts should make a difference on the end of the ball stud as you are just tightening onto a taper.

Bruce

 

[lvsqcsl]

Thanks for your reply, Bruce,

Yes, I did grease the new joints after installation. (Yes, I did install lubeable joints; Moog to be exact) Apparently, you can't leave the grease fitting the manufacturer gives you for the top joint because the universal for the drive shaft will hit it. I suppose I will need to replace the plug that they send with it each time I grease the upper joint. The ones I took out were very rusty and sounded like an old bed. I even dropped the pitman arm and adjusted the steering box. Still, the steering is very stiff and the truck doesn't have a neutral feel to the steering. You constantly have to fight it. I guess I'll try to get it back over and try to grease it some more. Thanks for your reply. Craig.

 

[Bruce1954]

In what way did you adjust the steering box?

You are describing an box that may be to tight.

I have never had to adjust one of these but I have on older vehicles.


Bruce

 

[lvsqcsl]

Thanks for your reply, Bruce,

I just turned that adjustment on the steering box less than 1/4 turn. The owner was complaining of excessive play. I test drove the truck before I made the adjustment and the steering was stiff then. That is why I feel it is the parts I installed. I'm going to shock everything loose and retorque everything to specification and try to grease the new parts like you suggested. I'll let you know how I come out. Thanks for your reply. Craig.

 

[boatpuller]

You can get low profile grease fittings from a good autoparts store, and the U joints at the front hubs will just miss them.

 

[lvsqcsl]

[ QUOTE ]
You can get low profile grease fittings from a good autoparts store, and the U joints at the front hubs will just miss them.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll ask the next time I'm at NAPA. Thanks for your reply. Craig. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif