Can we discuss Rare Parts Ball Joints... again

40290 Views 82 Replies 23 Participants Last post by GetShrek'd, Jun 27, 2020

Biginboca

Discussion Starter · Jan 3, 2017 (Edited)

Looking for some fresh input on the rare parts/sky jacker ball joints. I found a thread on them but it hasn't been updated and the longest someone on there had them was 7k miles.

I've had synergy ones for 50k miles on 37's and they are not completely shot, I think because I'm not running extremely low backspacing I'm at 4.5" with my 37's. I wouldn't even be looking to change mine yet but I'm getting ready to install some of the Rancho High Steer knuckles Santa brought me so might as well do the ball joints while I'm in there, right?

So that being the case I'm looking at Pro Steers for $500, Rare Parts for $600, or just doing another set of synergy (or teraflex/alloy/etc) for $200.

Hydro assist is pending this year don't know if that affects the decision. Thoughts?

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Biginboca

Discussion Starter · #21 · Jan 7, 2017

Jadmt said:
looks nice for sure. I did read on Amazon that the kit needs the service adaptors to work on JK's.
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-Dodge-Jo...0002SRGW0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I believe the one I bought will do the job. It says it works on Dana 44 axles in jeep vehicles, and one reviewer says they did Ball Joints on a 2008 wrangler with this kit so I'm optimistic!

Mason

· #22 · Jan 7, 2017

If that is the case they come in, it's no wonder they are $780 CDN.

Monster Jk

· #23 · Jan 7, 2017

ive had my rare parts ball joints on for probably 12k now with no issues. these things are friggin awesome... and at one point, amazon had them for $425!!! i snatched up a set while i could.

Biginboca

Discussion Starter · #24 · Jan 7, 2017

Install is done. Thankfully wasn't hard at all just time consuming. Took about 3 hours to do the first and then 2 hours to do the second once I knew what I was doing.

One thing interesting was the synergy joints I took out were fine even after 50k miles on 37x13.5" tires. I was always anal about greasing them with synergy grease every 5k miles they had no play and were still serviceable. I was installing my new rancho high steer knuckles so just figured I would put in some new ball joints while I was in there anyway. Have to say the rare parts are a good looking ball joint, if there is such a thing. Time will tell how they hold up!

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kjeeper10

· #25 · Jan 7, 2017

They weren't loose after the Synergy joints ?

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Biginboca

Discussion Starter · #26 · Jan 7, 2017

kjeeper10 said:
They weren't loose after the Synergy joints ?

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Nope, pressed in nicely no worries!

kjeeper10

· #27 · Jan 7, 2017

Biginboca said:
Nope, pressed in nicely no worries!

I prob would not have that luck lol

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j3ff3ry_j33p

· #28 · Jan 7, 2017

everything looks really well put together , thought out and good, @Biginboca. Yeah, the perpetual " we shall never know why some have sh*t luck with Synergy Mfg BJs and some of us they just last and last and last" differing experiences, it would seem . I am in latter boat, also. I now grease them by 6th sense I have done it so much, heh.

I just wanted to say that and that I like your Rancho knuckles. :jeep2:

Biginboca

Discussion Starter · #29 · Jan 8, 2017

j3ff3ry_j33p said:
everything looks really well put together , thought out and good, @Biginboca. Yeah, the perpetual " we shall never know why some have sh*t luck with Synergy Mfg BJs and some of us they just last and last and last" differing experiences, it would seem . I am in latter boat, also. I now grease them by 6th sense I have done it so much, heh.

I just wanted to say that and that I like your Rancho knuckles. :jeep2:

Thank you sir... :rockon:

I think backspacing may be part of it. I'm running 13.5" wide tires but on 4.5" backspaced wheels. I know a lot of guys go much lower on the backspacing and I think that affects the stress on the joints quite a bit.

I noticed recently when I turned my tires on some gravel that the center of the turn axis is almost dead center of my contact patch. (There were swirls on the tread from the gravel rubbing on the tire tread and these swirls centered on almost dead center of the tread.)

j3ff3ry_j33p

· #30 · Jan 8, 2017

Biginboca said:
Thank you sir... :rockon:

I think backspacing may be part of it. I'm running 13.5" wide tires but on 4.5" backspaced wheels. I know a lot of guys go much lower on the backspacing and I think that affects the stress on the joints quite a bit.

I noticed recently when I turned my tires on some gravel that the center of the turn axis is almost dead center of my contact patch. (There were swirls on the tread from the gravel rubbing on the tire tread and these swirls centered on almost dead center of the tread.)

THAT is so sweet when some fab or construct or upgrade just falls into a state of nearly "machine-install-perfect" but it's 'cuz you measured & took care of it properly. Huge reward .
Yeah, just cause I had a new set of 1.5" spidertrax sitting around a few months back , I decided to see what spacers on a 4.5 BS wheel would look and drive like; 2 asphalt miles and .5 off-road miles = I couldn't get them off fast enough , ha. Looked like a poser wagon , drive like crap , but mostly I could literally fee howl the primary bearer of the extreme weight at those ball joint axes would last maybe a month if I had 3.0" of backspace and big tires ... I agree with this theory .Anyhoo..again, Kool new shiny stuff to abuse !. :jeep2:

Biginboca

Discussion Starter · #31 · Jan 8, 2017

I put a few miles on the new set up the steering feels great. Very tight and tracks beautifully!

When I swapped my tie rod to the rancho knuckles it had me 1" toed out from the previous 1/4" toe in on factory knuckles. I also needed to lengthen my drag link about 1/4" to recenter the wheel. So there is some geometry difference there.

Can't quite say anything special about the ride is due to the rare parts yet I guess having any new ball joints is definitely going to give you some nice feel to the steering, right? I am digging the fancy look though, lol. One last pic of my new axle bling...

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Jadmt

· #32 · Jan 8, 2017

No issues at all using the ball joint press with just what was included?

Biginboca

Discussion Starter · #33 · Jan 8, 2017 (Edited)

Jadmt said:
No issues at all using the ball joint press with just what was included?

No issues I did have to stop and think a few times on the first one about how to make it work. That's part of why the first one took an hour longer.

Just keep in mind that the press is open on one end and you can press a joint with the open end over a ball joint stud and sitting right on the joint. If you aren't thinking you miss this detail because normal c-clamps are not open on one end.

It's like you spend 5 minutes wondering "what am I missing here?" and then "duh" this will work fine, lol

The only issue was pressing the top ones out I was only able to actually press them like 3/4 of the way out and then a few taps with a 4lb sledge knocked it up and out.

Rob50lx

· #34 · Jan 25, 2017

Running into a few snags with Tera44 axle

I'm running into a couple issues as I try to install these ball joints on a nice Tera44 axle. The inner "C" is thicker than the stock axle and I'm having to make some modifications. I had to notch the 2" Aluminum nut on the upper ball joint to allow me to install the pre-load set screw. I'm also going to have to notch the lower portion of the Tera44 inner "C" to allow me to get a grease gun on the grease fitting of the lower ball joint.

I'm also concerned that I may run into issues with the distance between the upper and lower ball joints on the Tera44 axle due to the thicker "C". Teraflex added more material in areas that didn't affect the mounting distance when the ball joints are mounted in the traditional direction. I think I may run into problems because the upper ball joint goes in from bottom of the upper "C" where extra material was added on the Tera44.

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kjeeper10

· #35 · Jan 25, 2017

HMmmm yea doesnt look right.

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Biginboca

Discussion Starter · #36 · Jan 25, 2017 (Edited)

Yeah you might actually have a problem there. That stinks! I was going to say you might be ok but then I realized that the extra thickness is all on the underside of the upper C and would create a change in the mounting space between the joints on the knuckle. It looks like you have about 2 threads showing on the mounting nut and I have about 4 on mine. Probably like 1/8" more thickness to the upper C on yours.

I can't see grinding that material on the bottom side of the upper C down and getting a good even result either...

I wonder how these joints would work with a Dynatrac housing? They use different end forgings also but I don't know if they are thicker where the BJ's mount.

bigworm36

· #37 · Jan 25, 2017

I wonder if anyone has had the same issues might be worth a call to teraflex to see

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stretch79

· #38 · Jan 26, 2017 (Edited)

Kind of late to respond but I've had my rare parts ball joints installed for awhile now (26k miles on them) with 40" tires and they still check out good. I usually check them every 3 or 4 months. I got mine back when they were $425. I'm extremely happy with them and rare parts customer service.

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Fusion 4x4

· #39 · Jan 26, 2017

The ball joints definitely work in the Currie Rock Jock Cs, and they are fairly large as well.

For the lower zerk fitting, it is supposed to be angle away from the housing (ball joint should be rotated about 90 degrees). The C thickens as you turn toward the housing.

I believe the more recently manufactured ball joints have a slightly shorter anodized nut on the upper to prevent the problem.

Sirjeepalot

· #40 · Jan 27, 2017

stretch79 said:
Kind of late to respond but I've had my rare parts ball joints installed for awhile now (26k miles on them) with 40" tires and they still check out good. I usually check them every 3 or 4 months. I got mine back when they were $425. I'm extremely happy with them and rare parts customer service.

This load distributing ball joint design is very interesting…..
I wonder how much added stress is applied to the upper arm of the inner C?
Wheeling these load distributing ball joints on a stock or UD44 housing might just actually have a plausible chance of tweaking the Inner C.
Hmmmm….

What front housing are you running stretch79?

Hey Dynatrac, Teraflex and Rare Parts. What are your thoughts on my merger concern?

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