Many ball joints may have an initial torque spec as low as 15-30 ft/lbs and torque angles are between 140º and 225º. Also know, how do you lower the ball joint torque?
To install:
- Install or connect the following: New lower ball joint to the lower control. Torque the bolts to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm). New cotter pin. Tie-rod end to the lower ball joint. Torque the nut to 67 ft. lbs. (91 Nm). Lower ball joint set bolts.
- Check and/or adjust the front wheel alignment.
Beside above, how do I know if my ball joints are bad while driving? Usually, when front ball joints start to fail, the vehicle will display a few symptoms that alert the driver a problem has occurred.
- Clunking noises coming from the front suspension.
- Excessive vibration from the front of the vehicle.
- Steering wandering to the left or right.
Also, can you over tighten a ball joint?
Don't think you can make it hard to turn by over tightening.. BUT, if your friend is doing a complete resto, he should invest in a torque wrench. It tightens down onto the taper of the ball joint stud, then it doesn't move. You can tighten it more than necessary, but the movement is in the ball joint itself.
How do you torque a ball joint nut?
To install:
- Install or connect the following: New lower ball joint to the lower control. Torque the bolts to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm). New cotter pin. Tie-rod end to the lower ball joint. Torque the nut to 67 ft. lbs. (91 Nm). Lower ball joint set bolts.
- Check and/or adjust the front wheel alignment.
Related Question Answers
Why are ball joints tapered?
In an automobile, ball joints are spherical bearings that connect the control arms to the steering knuckles. The bearing stud is tapered and threaded, and fits into a tapered hole in the steering knuckle. A protective encasing prevents dirt from getting into the joint assembly. Are ball joints supposed to spin?
A lot of times, when you're installing a ball joint into the lower control arm and trying to tighten the nut to lock in the ball joint shaft, the shaft will spin if you do not have enough pressure on the lower control arm. How tight should Inner tie rods be?
The inner tie rod should most certainly be torqued down. How do you tighten a pitman arm nut?
Tighten up the nut with the box all bolted up tight. Use Loctite Thread Locker and get it as tight as you can - DON'T USE A TORQUE WRENCH - use a cheater and get it AS TIGHT AS YOU CAN. We often heat the pitman arm up first with a torch before installing it. How much torque should a tie rod end?
If equipped with a torque prevailing nut, tighten to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm). Tighten the nut an additional 180 degrees (one-half turn). How do you use a torque wrench?
Torque wrenches are adjusted by hand, so you don't need any other tools to operate one. To use a torque wrench, adjust the handle and set it to a specific level of torque. Use the tightener on the end of the handle to lock it in place. Then, fit it over the socket, nut, or bolt and turn it clockwise to tighten it. How do you measure a tie rod?
Measure the length of the tie rod from the outside of the swage diameter on one socket end to the outside of the swage diameter on the other socket end, as shown below. Are tie rods supposed to be loose?
The outer tie rod ends are the most common ones to wear out. When tie rod ends get worn out they become loose. That looseness will show up as a wandering feel as you are driving down the road because the tires will be able to move left and right a little bit without you turning the steering wheel. What sound does a bad ball joint make?
Metallic clunking noise: One of the most noticeable and common symptoms of a bad ball joint is a clunking or knocking noise when the suspension moves up and down. A worn ball joint will begin to rattle inside the socket when driving over an uneven road, rough terrain, potholes or speed bumps. How long can you drive on bad ball joints?
Symptoms of loose ball joints While ball joints may last 70,000 miles or more, they don't last forever. Their actual lifespan will depend on your driving habits, road conditions and exposure to road splash and salt. Is it dangerous to drive with a bad ball joint?
By far the worst that can happen, when driving on a bad ball joint, is breakage. The ball joint can break in two ways: the ball detaching from the socket and stud breakage. No matter the form of breakage, the end result is catastrophic. When the ball joint completely breaks, the wheel is free to move in any direction. Do I need an alignment after replacing ball joints?
No, you certainly don't need alignment after ball joints, unless your previous alignment was done when ball joints were bad and loose. If your car is driving sloppy after ball joints replacement, check other suspension parts. What happens when a ball joint breaks while driving?
A broken ball joint may be the cause of a mysterious clunking noise or drifting steering. And once they're worn, they will seriously affect your steering and suspension. If a ball joint fails completely, it can even result in the wheel dramatically falling off the car. How much is it to change a ball joint?
The ball joint is a small part of your car, and the part itself is only going to cost between $20-$150 or more, depending on where you get it from and what kind of vehicle you own. It can take a little over an hour to get it replaced, so the full ball joint replacement cost will be between $100 and $400. How hard is it to replace ball joints?
From that standpoint, yes, it is hard to replace ball joints - more than basic DIYr skills and tools are required. There is also the safety dimension for being in close proximity to a suspended vehicle, and a compressed spring that has enough force to cause serious harm if it comes loose. Should I replace upper and lower ball joints at the same time?
Some vehicles have only two lower ball joints and some have four, both upper and lower. You do not have to replace all the ball joints at one time, just the ones that are faulty. Perry: Ball joint replacement costs vary from vehicle to vehicle. Do bad ball joints squeak?
Squeaking noise: Because ball joints are constantly moving, they require grease for lubrication. If the rubber boot that holds and protects this grease gets compromised, a ball joint can begin to squeak or creak. The noise can be heard when you turn the steering wheel and when you go over bumps. 
