How's it going everyone? I haven't logged on in a long time due to selling my pickup a couple of years ago. I recently purchased a 97 2500 2wd(need to update my sig).

Anyways, I replaced all 4 ball joints about a month ago. Yesterday my passenger side tire looked like the camber was WAY off. I pulled the tire off today and found out the top ball joint was completely out of the a arm but still bolted to the spindle.

The old top ball joints in both sides were tacked welded on. I didn't think I would have to tack weld the new ones on since any ball joint I've done have always been pressed on and a snap ring was in place.

I've read some threads and I'm getting mixed answers. The new ball joints went on pretty difficult, as in the holes in the a arms weren't wallowed out or too big.

Do I need to tack weld them on? Wouldn't that just put all the pressure on the tack welds? Thanks for all and any advice

 

Not sure what the issue is, as you mention that the new joints seemed to feel like the interference fit was sufficient as you pressed them in. I know that some replacement joints, such as Moog, have a serrated outer diameter to help hold them in a bore that may have been slightly enlarged by previous joints. Am not sure if the joints you installed had that serrated surface or not, but that's the only thing that comes to mind that you can try. If that's not successful, your only solution may be a new knuckle.

 

Well I ended up replacing that ball joint and tack welded both uppers. Hopefully that's the fix

 

yup, tack weld them. keeps them from working back out.

 

Alright cool. Thanks!