Upper ball joint installation

[Robert Bergstrom]

I am installing new Moog ball joints and have a question. It shows in the directions that the bolt head is down and the threaded portion is up. I have seen it the opposite way on other trucks. Does it matter which way they go in? Here is the drawing;

[Old Yeller 1970]

I don't think it makes a lick of difference. If you're concerned about it, you can't go wrong by following the manufacturer's instruction.

[Rooster's 67]

it is wise to always put bolts on the top and nuts on the bottom on most any assembly, if the nut comes off then the bolt is at least still retained. but as stated everyone is correct I overlooked that we were talking bout the ball joint and boot, bolt up and nuts on top of arm to protect boot from rubbing.

what i get for being tired while posting...LOL

[70stroker]

I have always read the bolts go from the bottom to top in all the gm manuals. Main reason is with this is the excess threads coming out of the nut wont rub the grease boot.

[cdowns]

you put the threads going down then when you try putting the spindle on you find out why the picture shows you shoulda put them pointing up

[chevy_mike]

70stroker and cdowns got it correct. Both are the reasons to put the bolts from the bottom side up.

[hayhauler71]

I have seen this in the shop before. The nuts go on the top and on some trucks if mounted the other way when the suspension is lifted the stud of the bolt will hit the steering knuckle and will not be able to steer the wheels which could also be a safety issue in some driving applications.

[PanelDeland]

^ they're right ^

[67chevemall]

Originally Posted by Rooster's 67

it is wise to always put bolts on the top and nuts on the bottom on any assembly, if the nut comes off then the bolt is at least still retained.

Use to put up steel building and what he said ^

Gravity sucks sometimes

[Fitz]

When all else fails...follow the directions....

[Smallz72project]

Just as the concensus is, the bolts face up with the nut being on top. Reason being it can rub on the dust boot eventually tearing it, which will allow contaminants in and cause premature failure. Another reason as stated it can effect the turnability. Also through the travel of suspension the dust boot flexes in many directions and with vibration the nuts can become loose. Having replaced hundreds of these and just working on gm vehicles in general I highly recommend the use of locktite apon installation.

[57larry]

nuts up!

[Robert Bergstrom]

I went with what the instructions said and used Locktite Red. I always have my "Nuts UP" when I can. As a side note here is a drawing of the ball joints. I never knew that the upper ball joint were non load bearing.

[OhOneWS6]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergstrom

I went with what the instructions said and used Locktite Red. I always have my "Nuts UP" when I can. As a side note here is a drawing of the ball joints. I never knew that the upper ball joint were non load bearing.

On suspension with the spring below the upper control arm, the bottom ball joint it the load bearing one. If the spring is above the upper control arm the upper ball joint is the load bearing one.

[BOOB]

Originally Posted by 70stroker

I have always read the bolts go from the bottom to top in all the gm manuals. Main reason is with this is the excess threads coming out of the nut wont rub the grease boot.

True

[westofb]

put in half from the bottom up and half in from the top down...at least you will be half right!

it makes no difference

[69 longhorn]

Nuts up....just like the pic If all else fails pull the instructions out of the trash can! Now I know that the instructions are just some other azz ho;s idea about how to do things,but if all else fails FOLLOW that azz ho,s instructions The ones on my Longhorn are bolted in as per pic, & they aint fell out in 12000 miles. crazyL

[crakarjax]

Originally Posted by cdowns

you put the threads going down then when you try putting the spindle on you find out why the picture shows you shoulda put them pointing up

Dud your avatar is freaking me out. Could you pretty please change it? Something about pixellated clowns makes me skirmish...