front lower ball joints loose in the bottom arm

[stu3954]

Im just in the process of putting all the front suspension back together, iv had pressed in the lower balljoints, they were from special t autos with the retaining ring also. but they are so loose in the bottom arm, i can press them in with my hands and pull them out again, has anyone else had this?? what can i do??

[Rich H]

Are they loose even with the retaining ring?

[stu3954]

yer they are, not 100% sure how the retaining ring was to be fitted, the ring wouldnt press over so he took a bit off the inside then pressed it on, then pressed the ball joint in to the botttom arm, but its so loose.

[stunned_monkey]

stu3954 Wrote:the ring wouldnt press over so he took a bit off the inside

:!:

Suggest you take it up with John Hervey

[Rich H]

Quote:the ring wouldnt press over so he took a bit off the inside then pressed it on

Who's "he" :?:

The ring is supposed to be a very tight fit over the lip that ball joint fits into. The whole idea of the ring is to compress the thin metal of the lower arm around the ball joint.

If 'a bit' has been taken off the inside of the ring, then it won't do it's job and the ball joint will be loose........

[Barson]

pressing the ball joint in with the strenghening ring is difficult. I just about managed it with a 12 ton press after a couple of goes. it's supposed to be tight. as posts above have said