Ballistic joints? Any help?

[nickg3130]

Well, after finally getting my 3-link adjusted properly I have been hearing a noise in my front end every now and then. I tried greasing up the 2 ballistic joints and for some reason they will not take any grease. It sounds like the ballistic joints are where the noise is coming from but i cant find a way to grease them. I did some research on some off road forums and others have had similar problems to this. Anyone have any knowledge when it comes to these type of joints?

 

[TripleE44]

Did you not grease the joints before you put the 3 link on?

 

[nickg3130]

Now that I think about it no I didn't. But they have grease fittings on the bottom of each knuckle. I tried greasing them up from the fittings while on the truck and they won't accept any grease for some reason. I want to try and avoid taking the 3-link off the truck once again but it looks like I might have to once again.

 

[TripleE44]

I would take it off and break them down. That's what I finally had to do with my 4 link. But I didn't with my traction blocks.

If you take the set screw out on the joint, you can stick a small screwdriver in one of the holes on that aluminum piece and tap the back of the screwdriver with a hammer to loosen it. That aluminum piece just screws in there and sandwiches the ball in the joint. I hope that makes sense. If they're too tight, they won't accept grease. I'd try that before taking the whole thing off.

I grease mine until there's grease squirting out of the joint.

 

[91turbogsx]

Is the locknut loose? I have a problem with one on my OUO bars that just won't stay tight even after using loctite on the nut so it clunks randomly and lets me know it came loose again. :doh:

 

[nickg3130]

I will check all of these hopefully tomorrow when I have time. I am pretty sure I have the jam nut set as tight as I could get them but maybe they loosened up. My lower link arms are fine bc they are a different type of joint (not sure what its called) that doesn't pivot all angles and I can grease them to where grease comes out of them.

Also, there are 2 places in which I can put a grease fitting on the upper arm joints. Does It matter which one i put the fitting in?

 

[TripleE44]

Jam nut. That's the word I was lookin for. I bet you've just got them so tight they won't let grease in. That's what some of mine were set like and I couldn't get grease in like you said. I'm just assuming yours are just like mine. Just loosen them up and you should be able to grease them just fine, I didn't make mine as tight after either.

 

[nickg3130]

Jam nut. That's the word I was lookin for. I bet you've just got them so tight they won't let grease in. That's what some of mine were set like and I couldn't get grease in like you said. I'm just assuming yours are just like mine. Just loosen them up and you should be able to grease them just fine, I didn't make mine as tight after either.

I'm not sure if we're talking about the same nut. The jam nut is way bigger than 1" in size and it goes on the threaded part of each joint to keep them in place. I may be wrong as well but I'm not sure how it would affect being able to grease the joints.

 

[TripleE44]

Yep, that's the same one I'm talking about.

 

[nickg3130]

Ok, I'll try messing with it tomorrow. Ill keep you guys posted. Thanks.

 

[91turbogsx]

Yep, that's the same one I'm talking about.

Your talking about this one right? I was talking about the locknut that you tighten after setting the length/depth of the joint.

 

[TripleE44]

Your talking about this one right? I was talking about the locknut that you tighten after setting the length/depth of the joint.

Yes that's what I was talking about. I realize what you're talkin about now.

 

[nickg3130]

I would take it off and break them down. That's what I finally had to do with my 4 link. But I didn't with my traction blocks.

If you take the set screw out on the joint, you can stick a small screwdriver in one of the holes on that aluminum piece and tap the back of the screwdriver with a hammer to loosen it. That aluminum piece just screws in there and sandwiches the ball in the joint. I hope that makes sense. If they're too tight, they won't accept grease. I'd try that before taking the whole thing off.

I grease mine until there's grease squirting out of the joint.

Ok I have some free time to take a look at this thing now. What exactly is the "set screw" you are talking about? I tried tapping the aluminum plate and it won't budge so I'm assuming the set screw is what's holding me back.

 

[TripleE44]

It's right next to the grease zerk. It jus looks like a hole, but there's an Allen head set screw down in there. You just need to back that out. If you look at that aluminum lock nut, it's got cut outs where the set screw screws into to hold it into place.

 

[nickg3130]

That's what I thought. Just wasn't sure what type of screw it was. Thank you sir.

 

[6.4psd916]

I also know ballistic came out with new races for their joints, took the creak out of my traction bars instantly. New ones are red. Have you talked to trevor yet?

 

[nickg3130]

It's right next to the grease zerk. It jus looks like a hole, but there's an Allen head set screw down in there. You just need to back that out. If you look at that aluminum lock nut, it's got cut outs where the set screw screws into to hold it into place.

Well just got under it and did what you told me and it finally took the grease. I'm taking the truck up to school later on tonight and will let you know whether or not the noise goes away. I think it should because that seemed like the problem. Thanks for the help man.

 

[TripleE44]

You're welcome man. Hopefully that's it and you don't have to take it all off.

 

[svilla]

did it work? I think I am going to replace the bushings in my 4 link with the red ones. They are driving me nuts.

 

[nickg3130]

As far as I know it works. It hasnt made a noise since but I haven't drove the truck much bc I've been at school but tomorrow and this weekend I will test it out and give you guys feedback.