lower ball joint interference fit

[chrisdc]

Hi,

I bought a pair of lower ball joints a while back and have just asked a local engineering company to press them in for me. They've questioned whether they are correct as the leading edge has a 10 thou interference fit and with the splines the interference fit would be about 20 thou.

They have suggested that normally the leading edge pushes in allowing the ball joint to be squared up before pressing in. Could someone confirm what the interference fit should be?

Thanks Chris

[ZsZ]

I am not sure abut the exact sizes, but the Meyle HD ones are bigger in diameter and really hard to install them.

[TONYT25T25]

Have a look at this video by James Akers.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Igdi8tZLDo

[chrisdc]

Thanks both. The James Akers video shows the ball joint dropping into position - up to the splines. This is the Engineering company's experience of fitting similar ball joints but to other vehicles. Also, interesting that the Meyle units appear over large - the make of mine is Meyle. Anyone else experience similar issues with Meyle ball joints and has anyone cracked the casting pressing them in?

Thanks Chris

[Aidan]

Thanks both. The James Akers video shows the ball joint dropping into position - up to the splines. This is the Engineering company's experience of fitting similar ball joints but to other vehicles. Also, interesting that the Meyle units appear over large - the make of mine is Meyle. Anyone else experience similar issues with Meyle ball joints and has anyone cracked the casting pressing them in?

Thanks Chris

I would ask Brickwerks, if there have been issues they will be aware. Trouble is the aftermarket companies obtain their box fillers from various sources and those may change. I know the Meyle upper joints were a bit oversize at one time (2010/11ish) I haven't tried to fit one since