Hey guys,
I was working on replacing my ball joints today, what a project that turned out to be. I'm at the point of putting the steering knuckles back on, but am not sure how far up they are supposed to go. I could not seem to get them up far enough so there is easy free movement of the knuckle on the new ball joints, they move a bit stiff. I also see a small 1/8 inch or so of the lower ball joint shaft where the knuckle has not reached the boot.
A procedure I read said to put a jack under it, but that just lifts the whole axle off my jack stands.
Both ball joint bolts are very tight. The upper ball joint boot is crushed up a bit also.
Am I supposed to force it up further, or do I have it too tight already and need to back off to the proper torque spec? If I do need to force it up further, any tips? I was trying to use the ball joint press without much sucess getting that last bit.
Thanks for your help.

 

Anybody? I want to get back to it later today and need to know ifI should back it off or try to get it on further.

 

When i did mine, i do not remember the steering knuckle turning easily, and i did everything right, so i do not think that it is supposed to turn that easily.