Ball Joint Nightmare

[fix671]

My friend brought me his 96 Bronco for left side ball joints upper and lower. He had had them done a year ago and keep bringing it back for lower failure. Upon tearing it apart for a simple ball joint r and r I found the root cause of the failure.

Some hack had cut out the lower ball joint with a torch and cut a good part of the bushing pressed into the axle as well. The hole that the shaft of the balljoint is now about twice as big as it should be ... and it gets better. The mechanic took a socket and cut the end off and installed it around the new ball joint shaft to take up the slack. Then welded the nut on the top. I have taken some pix of it if anyone is interested.

Anyway to get to the point. I went to the dealer to try to buy that lower bushing that is pressed into the axle housing. Not available, i can see it on the parts blow up but NA. I was wondering if anyone has come accross a repair sleeve for lower ball joints or has any suggestions. I was contemplating machining down an upper camber adjusting sleeve to fit the bottom but would rather weld in a new bushing if available.

The kid is broke so the proper "replace the whole damm thing" method isnt an option.

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciatted.

Thanks,

Fix

 

[freak]

You just gotta love hack's.

 

[STLKIKN]

Even though the kid has no money, he should be able to find the left ttb at a wreckers for fairly cheap... replacing the housing may be cheaper than the machining and fab costs associated with repairing.

Does the kid not have some type of recourse for the hacks work??

Even if the last person that worked on it did not do the initial "repair", there is no way it should have ever left the shop like that....

 

[fix671]

That was the other thing that i was exploring. I fortunatly have some excellent welders at a fab shop next door.

There is definite legal recourse being pursued. Being a master tech I was horrified by this "repair" and I take it as a personal insult to all mechanics that this was sent out with no regard to the kids safety whatsoever.

Im guessing by lack of response that the bushing I need is not readily available. TY for the suggestion.

Fix