1991 Jeep Laredo my Jeep is old and shakey

SHAUNSUTTON

MEMBER
1991 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
280,000 MILES

I am a jeep owner and have recently installed ball joints on the front end. Now they are starting to work their way out. what's the problem and how do i fix it correctly??

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,752 POSTS

Can't tell from the picture. Do you mean the body is working out of the hole in the control arm? Was there a giant snap ring on the old one? If not, the hole might be stretched or worn a little. There is nothing wrong with putting a few small spot welds on it. If the control arm is cast iron, warm it first with a torch. This will prevent it from cracking. Don't heat it or weld too long to prevent melting the nylon insert and grease inside the joint.

If the tapered stud is loose, it was not tightened to specs. The ball joint and the spindle must both be replaced. If the spindle is not replaced, the deformed hole will allow the stud to wobble and it will break.

Caradiodoc