How can you tell if a LBJ is bad, cuz apprarently just because the boots ripped doesnt mean its bad... I replaced the passenger side about 3 months ago, an when comparing to the driver side <which i hadnt done yet> after I just did my rotors an brakes, the passenger side <the new one> has the threads sticking out of the bottom of the crown nut by about 4 threads, an my driver side <which i presume is bad> doesnt have any threads showing underneath the crown nut, when nut is fully tightened... I cant seem to get any play out of either of them, but wasnt sure how to tell if its actually bad or am I just wasting my time... I'm tryna find out why my front end vibrates every couple seconds while im going over 75, than goes away when I get under 75.....

 

Usually the boots being ripped doesn't mean it's bad, but it can obviously make it go bad faster w/o it there..

When I check mine, you try and wiggle the ball joint around, and if there is any "play" in the ball itself, it's bad. If none, then it's good.

You can also try checking for wheel play at 3 & 9 o'clock to check the tie rods, and at 12 & 6 o'clock to check the upper/lower ball joints, but that would also tell you if you have any play in the wheel bearing..

Just a thought.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by poison &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Usually the boots being ripped doesn't mean it's bad, but it can obviously make it go bad faster w/o it there..

When I check mine, you try and wiggle the ball joint around, and if there is any "play" in the ball itself, it's bad. If none, then it's good.

You can also try checking for wheel play at 3 & 9 o'clock to check the tie rods, and at 12 & 6 o'clock to check the upper/lower ball joints, but that would also tell you if you have any play in the wheel bearing..

Just a thought. </TD></TR></TABLE>

sweet dude.. i did the 12 n 6 an 3 n 9 thing, 12 n 6 both sides have no movement whatsoever... however 3 an 9, its hard to tell if its regular play or if i have to much cuz theres definitely play on both side... Like more than a 1/4 inch play.. But my tie-rods are farely new...

 

What is the deadlock way to tell if tie rods are shot??? Isnt it like, if i move me wheels an the steering wheel doesnt turn or something???

EDIT: I'm gonna try rotating my tires to see if maybe one of my tires is warped or something.. I've been reading an reading an reading an thats what I just came across... But any more helpful info, please post....


Modified by JDM_SOHC at 11:19 AM 11/17/2006

 

When I had ripped boots, everytime I went above 60 mph, the wheel would shake slightly. Since then I upgraded to Integra brakes with new ball joints, and the shaking has stopped.

Everything was good with my stock brakes except the ball joints.

 

best way to check them on the car is get wheels off the ground , and pry in a manner that your trying to seperate the joint without taking the crown nut off.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cranny &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">best way to check them on the car is get wheels off the ground , and pry in a manner that your trying to seperate the joint without taking the crown nut off.</TD></TR></TABLE>

so use the fork seperator to see if the joint moves up an down???

 

remove the nut, pop it using the rachet trick, and check for excessive play - it should be somewhat firm.
Is there any knocking sound when you turn the car while driving?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pdiggitydogg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">remove the nut, pop it using the rachet trick, and check for excessive play - it should be somewhat firm.
Is there any knocking sound when you turn the car while driving?</TD></TR></TABLE>

not that i can hear... my car seems to work perfect, unless im going over 75 than it does that vibration every 2-3 seconds.... im so stumped dude..

 

Is the cotter pin going thru the lbj stud?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by J.MONEY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is the cotter pin going thru the lbj stud?</TD></TR></TABLE>

on one side it is, on the other i dont have a cotter pin in.. but i can still see straight through the hole, an its still on the same thread... so i knew the nut hasnt moved..

 

so use the fork seperator to see if the joint moves up an down???

yes , or prybar , just dont hurt seals obviously. if it had play in and out , than its done.


Modified by cranny at 1:57 AM 11/18/2006

 

dont use a fork...you'll rip the boot and HAVE to replace it, even if its not bad

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pdiggitydogg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dont use a fork...you'll rip the boot and HAVE to replace it, even if its not bad</TD></TR></TABLE>

boots already ripped... im just tryna find out wtf my car shakes when im doin over 75 this is makin me insane..

 

if its bad the ball will spin when you try to undo the castle nut. Then u gotta cut the nut to get the thing off.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DeadEnd9009 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if its bad the ball will spin when you try to undo the castle nut. Then u gotta cut the nut to get the thing off.</TD></TR></TABLE>

naa it doesnt do that, it goes on an comes off with no problems...

 

What if I hear knocking when I turn? Its not the knocking from bad or worn axles...but something else.

Sorry to interrupt your thread dood

 

bad joints make a heavy "thunk" sound when the vehicle shifts weight side to side... Like if you slammed your fist against a wall or table.

If the boot is torn, to hell with it, just replace the damn thing.

 

if its knocking over and over while wheels are turned and car is in motion , you need an axle most likely. and if the boots are torn , even if the joint isnt bad yet , it will be. another good way to check em is get the car in the air , grab the wheel on the top and bottom and wiggle it. youl feel any play. that and push straight up under the treads of the tire. up and down wiggle.


Modified by cranny at 7:06 AM 11/20/2006