jt02gt

Granted I have no clue what it actually sounds like but had the Steeda x2 balljoints put in today and the guy calls me late in the day and says parts are installed but there is a clunking noise coming from front of car on bumps and turns. He thinks it is driveable but wanted the car for another day to tear into it and figure out what it is. Anybody else have any issues after switching to these balljoints or ideas of possibly what it might be? I trust these guys work as have had the car to them a couple of times now, they do excellent work and have treated me like gold when it comes to billing for labor.

cliffyk

How much has your car been lowered? The X2 ball joints are for EXTREME drops, and often require that you use Steeda's offset steering rack bushings and "bump-steer" kit...

jt02gt

not lowered at all, the guy said it dropped the front about .5" but he didn't see anything that would be hitting or rubbing at all, he didn't use the spacers provided with the kit - for stock springs - as you would have to drop the spring to install which will leave it at original height so maybe he will try that tomorrow, the main reason I went with the x2 is because eventually I am planning on dropping a little and figured might as well get ready for it as the driver side ball joint was going bad

cliffyk

I fear you have "put the cart before the horse", and altered the front-end geometry to the point that you will have to live with some odd noises. Things don't need to be hitting or rubbing to be pushed to there normal limits and bind.

As I said above, the X2 ball joints are intended for cars that have really been slammed down to the ground--wheel alignment will likely be an issue as well...

jt02gt

I am hoping that if he puts the spacers in that it will solve the issue. I will mention your thoughts to him and see what he thinks for a solution. Thanks for the help.

H0SS302

I agree with cliff. Steeda ball joints are not oem replacements or another option to lower the car. I would consider either dropping your car 2" or puting OEM joints back in.

jt02gt

I was actually debating between the two ideas Hoss on the way home. I spoke with Steeda and they didn't know what to think of it since the car wasn't lowered. I got the car today and the noise is more like a popping noise a little bit almost sounds like a lid going on a pot intermittently - mainly when turning or hitting a bigger bump. I think I can maybe see the issue as before my front tires were sitting perpendicular to the ground and now they toe out a little bit. Probably causing the "pop"

And never was intending to use the ball joints to lower was planning on lowering eventually, balljoint going bad, figured what the heck.....

WannaBeGearHead

Well if you can help/pay for my front springs to come off and stockers back in I will give you my Eibach springs that I'm not using.

jt02gt

I already went ahead and ordered OEM joints got to thinking this AM it will be cheaper to just have them installed than hope dropping the front more will fix the issue, thanks for the offer though but if you need help with that hit me up when you are going to do it and Ill try and get up to Lincoln