BALL JOINTS

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Thu May 18, 2006 10:26 pm

ON MY 79 SPIDER, WHILE JACKING A FLOOR JACK UNDER LOWER CONTROL ARM TO UNLOAD PRESSURE, AND INSTALLING WHEEL ASSBLY, THERE IS ALOT OF PLAY IN MY UPPER BALL JOINT. i CANT FEEL ANY PLAY IN LOWERS. IS THIS COMMON IN THIS CAR? iS THERE ANY GOOD REASON TO REPLACE LOWER JOINTS?? tHANKS

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:05 am

the lower ball joints are the load carrying joint. There shouldn't be any play in either the upper or lower bjs. Are you sure the play isn't in the wheel bearing? If the ball joints have any play, they should be replaced. Having a lower ball joint fail will be catastrophic. When they fail the suspension collapses causing the car to immediately stop.
Also inspect the lower arms for cracking where the ball joint is mounted

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Fri May 19, 2006 6:43 am

Mark, am sure, thanks twice. Dave

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:52 pm

Splains alot, lowers have been replaced previously, have replaced upper control arms, re bushed the lowers, also installed grease fittins. Dave