Installed Moog "problem solver" ball joints on my '99 Expedition (4WD). Now there is a "gap", where part of the ball joint stud is exposed.
Is this normal, and a result of their improved (shorter) grease boot?






On a related note, after 16yrs, the axle spindle was stuck in the hub. No amount of pounding, PB Blaster, or use of a HD puller would budge it. I eventually had to replace the axle, hub, and steering knuckle.

 

Not an expert, but that does not look right to me.

 

the bottom picture doesn't even look like theres a rubber boot on it or you didnt fill it up with grease to push it down. but the castle nut with the cotter pin on the bottom looks correct.

 

I'm with the others, that doesn't look like any ball joint I have ever seen.

 

It doesn't look right to me either. It is not seated all the way or it is not the right ball joint. I would first confirm you have the correct ball joints then talk to Moog.

http://www.moogproducts.com/en-global/Pages/Home.aspx

 

It doesn't look like it's seated all the way

The new style Moogs come with an internal grease boot, and not the external people are used to seeing.

If you're tightening the castle nut and the inner shaft is rotating, that would be a good indication that the tapered shafts is not properly seated in the knuckle

 

I installed the same looking moog lower ball joint and I thought the same thing, but I know it's tight and has grease in it. The nut and pin works I noticed the factory has plastic sheath around the boot that camouflages the gap. I hope it's right because mine is the same.

 

Judodad did you end up running it just like that? Got the same gap on my lower ball joint. This new moog design is kinda weird or maybe we just all use to seeing dust boot on ball joint