Lower ball joint too tight!! Help!

[Dsmall0491]

I am putting in new ball joints... when I put the knuckle back on, the lower ball joint is so tight its almost locked up. Its hard, but I can turn the knuckle back and forth by hand. I put the tie rod end back on the knuckle, started the truck, and turned it, and it spewed out PS fluid. I got these ball joints from ebay.
Any suggestions? Gonna hafta buy some Moogs? Is it the ball joints? Or is it possibly something else?

Thanks!
Dave

[Dsmall0491]

Help! Thanks!

[Aggie007]

Is the truck running when you try to turn it? Have you tried to drive it?

[Dsmall0491]

Yes I had the motor running. I also had both the front wheels off of the ground. The knuckle is TIGHT!

[dayusex]

well did you get chinese ball joints? That might be the problem right there.

[Dsmall0491]

yeah, thats what Im afraid of....
Are you supposed to be able to spin a pair of Moogs by hand? Because these(cheaper ebay ones) are really tight. I greased them, is it possible theres too much grease in there? I think I payed $80 for the set of 4. Has anyone reading, personally, ever installed a cheaper set?
Thanks
Dave

[cgwendling]

I recently installed Napa ball joints and they were inexpensive but having said that the uppers were still $65 a piece and the lowers were $97 a piece. So you can draw your own conclusion on how cheaply made your, $80 for a set, ball joints might be.

[BADAZZ97]

I PERSONALY INSTALL MOOGS AT WORK AND HAVNT HAD ANY PROBLEMS. WITH CHEAP BRANDS THERE ARE NOTHING BUT COMPLAINTS ABOUT RETURNABILITY ISSUES. GO WITH MOOG. DO THEM RIGHT ONE TIME AND NEVER HAVE TO DO THEM AGAIN JUST MY .02