Dynatrac Ball Joint Issue - Need advice.

[autotragic]

So you didn't freeze it did you?

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[JustSendItDude]

So you didn't freeze it did you?

They’re in the freezer right now. Thought I’d give it one more go with another suggestion first before freezing.

 

[Gregj]

You definitely have a ridge in the bore, while you are waiting take a half-round file and dress that down a bit.

Gregj

 

[azjl#3]

lube the threads of ball joint tool really well, most are dry or messed up from folks abusing them. Use washers of size need to make it straight going in.

And freez ball joint, heat arm around where you install ball joint. Not talking red hot just very warm to touch.

 

[BadA$$Rubi]

Just my 2 cents worth….
Check your tolerances. What interference are you dealing with?
I had to reduce the OD of the ball joint with fine emery cloth to keep it around .002-.0025 interference fit. Go lightly with the emery cloth, it doesn’t take much to remove the material. Also, I hade to cut/grind a taper in the press tool to match the taper in the “C”. Clean away any burrs from your previous attempts. Good luck!

 

[Engine Guy]

I just did this install last weekend and ran into the same problems. The trick that worked for me was relocating the c-clamp back and forth. This seemed to press the joint the other direction each time it started to tighten up.

The only challenge is that you have to brace the c-clamp when it is on the other orientation.

Hopefully this works for you too!

 

[Remorseless]

Just a tip for the jack screw making contact with the upper C - wrap that sumbitch in a solid quarter inch of duct tape. Redeck, but it works. Had to do the same for mine. Acts as a bushing to keep the jack screw from messing up the machined surface (I had ended up with a slight gouge on the upper c for the first side, which pissed me off enough to figure out the duct tape bushing).

 

[SoK66]

It isn’t going in straight because you need a different adapter that accounts for the angle. These usually aren’t included in those ball joint tool kits. It’s a thin adapter shaped like a wedge, thinner on one side than the other.
Use care taking the ball joint back out and it won’t be damaged. Also, use anti-seize compound on the joint so it slides in easily.

 

[JustSendItDude]

It isn’t going in straight because you need a different adapter that accounts for the angle. These usually aren’t included in those ball joint tool kits. It’s a thin adapter shaped like a wedge, thinner on one side than the other.
Use care taking the ball joint back out and it won’t be damaged. Also, use anti-seize compound on the joint so it slides in easily.

I'm looking at more complete kits on Amazon and came across this adapter. It looks like one side is raised more than the other. Is this something along the lines of what you are talking about?

 

[jellis4148]

I had the same problem, kind of. Mine were going in like that. I need a second pair of hands to do this. I turned the C-clamp till it was pushing the way I wanted then had to stick a board in to hold it in that spot. I'm assuming when you turn it the clamp turns all the way to one side. You need to get it in the right spot then find a way to hold it in that spot.

 

[SoK66]

I'm looking at more complete kits on Amazon and came across this adapter. It looks like one side is raised more than the other. Is this something along the lines of what you are talking about?

Yes, that’s what you need. Align the clamp so you’ll get as straight a press as possible.

 

[JustSendItDude]

Yes, that’s what you need. Align the clamp so you’ll get as straight a press as possible.

10-4. Thanks for the help. Ordered a kit with the adapter pictured above. Fingers crossed with the freezing and correct adapter, I can get these bad boys installed.

 

[SoK66]

Don’t forget the anti seize. AutoZone may have the adapter. Good luck!

 

[Grace213]

I'm looking at more complete kits on Amazon and came across this adapter. It looks like one side is raised more than the other. Is this something along the lines of what you are talking about?

That is what I used when I did the ball joints.

 

[JustSendItDude]

Don’t forget the anti seize. AutoZone may have the adapter. Good luck!

Yes, sir. Using anti-seize from the get-go. I'll do more ball joints in the future, so I'm going to invest in a good kit to keep at the house. Thanks again for the help!

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