What Are Ball Joint Deletes And How Do You Install Them???

Ball Joint Delete Kits: americanironoffroad.com/
Most Jeep owners are fully aware of how much Balljoints can be a pain! With our larger tires, and heavy offroad use, the factory balljoints are just not up to the task and fail quickly. Even aftermarket balljoints have a hard time staying tight and reliable.. Its mostly due to the fact that the Balljoint design itself leaves a lot of room for improvement.
Some of you may be familiar with Balljoint Deletes, and some may have never heard of them! Ive gotten a ton of requests for this video, not only the install part, but to also explain what in the world Balljoint Deletes are and why they are better.
Head over to American Iron Offroads website for more info, and to see all the axles they produce kits for. Or, check out the facebook page to see real world reviews, questions, testimonials, and feel free to ask any questions you would like! / about
Balljoint Deletes are not much harder to install compared to a typical balljoint job. But either way, its not a quick simple job... And its nice to know that we wont have to do this job over and over compared to a typical ball joint replacement.
In a way, these are kind of like a hybrid kingpin setup.. Some of you are familiar with a kingpin and know that they are very reliable and strong, some people refuse to own an axle that has balljoints! With this setup, we replace the tapered ball joint with the ball in socket design and swap over to a Spherical Rod Bearing setup that sits in a machined cup housing with a through bolt.
In this video i install a set on my 2005 Ford F250 Dana 60 Axle that i swapped into my Jeep, however they make kits for quite a few other offroad axles as well. In the future, i plan to install a set on JK axles that we have under Cassies LJ.
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[@trevorlynch6549]

The reason ball joints exist is for independent suspension where you have both types of movement and they discovered that they would work for solid axles and would be cheaper.

[@dalephillips8250]

So are you saying you can't do these deletes for Trucks that don't have a solid front axle?

[@trevorlynch6549]

@@dalephillips8250 they make different kits than these but this style won't work on independent suspension.

[@dalephillips8250]

@@trevorlynch6549 Just wanted to know if this would be a viable option for a 2020 Tundra if my stock ball joints ever go out.

[@trevorlynch6549]

@@dalephillips8250 There aren't any kits for newer tundras and I don't think it would be cost effective to get one for normal use. The ones that I found are over $1,000 for just the lower ball joint.

[@dalephillips8250]

@@trevorlynch6549 Thanks for the reply

[@daveayerstdavies]

'Ball-joint deletes' are not without their own problems. The dynamic impact forces that might have been absorbed in the OEM ball joints will be transmitted to control arms, increasing load and wear. You don't completely erase the ball-joint problem, you move it to other suspension joints.

[@lasagnajohn]

Amen. AND, you don't know what other component is now the weakest link either. Jeep is already for wheeling, why mess with it? I guarantee you my stock XJ will go where you go, but then it will go back home too.

[@fayceoff]

Yes, but if you've already upgraded all of that stuff, it's much easier to replace bushings in control arms than replace ball joints in my opinion.

[@Professionalpatternrecognizer]

A wise engineering professor once said “Engineer a failure point into the system or the system will engineer it for you”

[@outinthebackyard7579]

Just in case the average person doesn’t understand these ball joint delete kits only work in straight axle vehicles. On any vehicle with multi link suspension you absolutely need the multi directional movement of the ball and socket as the suspension travels.

[@cznkane]

I have these on my JK axled LJ and love them, no issues at all and the steering feel is fantastic. Running 40" tires, no stabilizer, and 60 down the highway without issue (that's about all she'll do lol)

[@ALongLongWaytoGO]

Best thing I ever did to my Jeep…Josh at American Iron is a FANTASTIC dude…super helpful !!!!!….Over a year on them now….still the best thing ever.

[@RockSolidRig]

We feel the same way!!

[@StormbornJKU]

Don’t forget about the biggest pro of the deletes. You never have to press anything in or out ever again. They are rebuildable right inside the knuckle / C! And when I installed them on my JK44 I also had some wandering issues. Once I drove them for like 200 miles they were broken in and my steering feels absolutely amazing now. Better than it’s ever been!

[@harrywalker968]

jeep, 1st thing you do, is re weld every brkt, or replace with thicker. jeep is like buying a body,,then fitting all the go stuff. swb f100 owner. perfect.

[@StormbornJKU]

@@harrywalker968 cool man

[@christopherparis6841]

Yup lmao I bet the power steering returns like brand new lmfao. If ur blowing through ball joints how bout but a fkn axle meant for tires guys w Lil ds buy. Why not use Ford 9s or Dayna 90s or mouser 11.5s set of those retard pins cost as much as a used axel that's built for the purpose. Guys need to leave these pos jeeps to delivering mail. Lmao

[@MrGoldman9]

Thank you for this beautiful episode, and the most beautiful thing is that you put a link to all the equipment and pieces that you used to facilitate the search for and purchase. Thank you again, wishing you safety on the road

[@4WDTrek]

Hey man. Just wanted to comment and say that your videos have developed super well over the years. I have been watching for some time now and happened across a video you made a long while back. Your comfort and ease on camera has come a long way and how you explain things is always amazing. I'm aspiring to have that progression in front of the camera my self on my channel! Thanks for all that you do bud!

[@Arykperry]

I’ve had them for 2 an 1/2 years on my crawler now and love them !!!! There worth every penny !!

[@motivatedcb5837]

I have just recently joined the Jeep world. I have been a truck guy my whole life but now due to current interests it makes more sense for me to own a Jeep. All this being said I have enjoyed going back to your old videos watching all your Jeep JK mods. Thank you for the entertainment and information.

[@zachredline]

Not sure if anyone mentioned it already, but you don't need a 19mm Allen key if you don't already have one. Any high strength bolt that uses a 19mm socket will fit. You just need to add a nut or 2 for the socket or wrench to fit onto. Had to do that on my nv3500 Trans overhaul.

[@rvmagnum5415]

Your the first guy I have seen on youtube explain ball joint wear properly.

[@r.weaver3769]

You are correct, I've seen countless KZbin certified mocanics do that wiggle and say "It's bad. personally I jack up at the ball joint, and if I use a prybar and move the tire and see movement up and down or side to side, it's bad. now, GM use to say up to 1/4 inch up and down was acceptable, I sold them new ones anyway as it will wear tires, and eventually let loose. The old FORD kingpin I-beam suspension was my fav, was damn near bulletproof. but because the geniuses at Ford put the tie rods behind the steering axis they wandered at high speeds if set to spec, so I toed them in and requested the tires be rotated more often.

[@corymorgan1448]

Had mine on my jk for about a year now. Josh is a first class guy and I love my deletes !

[@wvjeepguy8178]

Love mine. I've had a set in a Dana 44 for quite a while and getting ready to install a set in my dana 60.

[@campNcrawlR]

Great video, brother, as always. Im at 40K and my balljoints are going, so this was timely. Something I’ve read about but hadn’t looked deep into them yet. You’ve convinced me and I look forward to hearing more about them next time 🤘🏼

[@eugeneengland7282]

I was looking into those kits a couple months ago for my tj and wj. Thank you for this it makes my decision final.

[@ToddAdams1234]

Did he say that a kit was made for the D44? I’m doing a solid axle swap for one into my 99 Taco. I don’t want to go to the cost of the D60, not to mention finding one from out of a vehicle with the proper width. I got my 44 from a first gen Bronco so the width is PERFECT. Now I’m in my the process of narrowing my D60 for the rear top have it match. What do you think?

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Glad I found this video, I bought my BJE from down to Fab and he doesn't offer a BJE for both the upper and lower, only the upper. Thanks man.

[@jku392adventure]

I love my ball joint deletes! They are doing great with my hemi!

[@RocklanderUSA]

You are awesome, Ben! I wish I could just bring my Jeep to you and have you install these ball joint deletes and lift. Great vid!

[@Pegcitytowing]

I have them on my jeep since 2020, no issue they are great

[@chancepierce]

Really looking forward to this one. I need new balljoints and have been considering the deletes but have not had time to do much research

[@Donnut123]

I have had to do ball joints in almost every Jeep I've owned. I will be looking to install a set of these in my Jeep when I do joints!

[@johncortese745]

Love my American Iron Offroad Ball Joint Deletes for my SD60!!! Great customer service as well.

[@MrNigel1340]

Have just found your channel and subscribed, marvellous presentation with clear and concise descriptions of how to fit the parts, thoroughly enjoyed it , regards Doc Cox.

[@TX-oo2rn]

Great video. Thanks for addressing the many questions I would have had by being very thorough. Cheers!

[@obiknobi8447]

Thanks for sharing. This will save me a ton of time on my Nissan D21 build. Durable spares are non existent here in South Africa 🇿🇦. Cheers

[@michaelmurray2592]

Love the video Ben!!! I wouldn’t mind doing this swap on my JT. Keep up the great work my friend.

[@AdventureAwaits4u]

Great video and thanks for going in depth on the ball joint delete. 👍🏼

[@javanbybee4822]

I’m a fan of the bolt on ball joints on IFS Toyotas. Super tough and easy to replace.

[@gwkdad]

very timely, just started looking at these...

[@relmdrifter]

Thanks for the run down. I may start running these in my TJ and X

[@cubs11992]

This is new to me , never heard of this 🤯 thanks I might do this

[@DaveyBlue32]

Those look awesome! Great stuff!

[@d7k8gsxr600]

Hey.... that first photo looks familiar! 🤔 lol.... American Iron BJE are awesome. Josh is a great guy to buy from amd his product is spot on. After I had that catastrophic failure I knew these were the ticket. So far the drive great and having the 1.5° adjustment makes it drive great on the road. I also installed the 1550 shafts, but I didn't have to trim the upper bolt.

[@millstonejeepworx]

Awesome Ben, Was considering these for mine.

[@tooxlent]

Great video, keep up the content.

[@logicalguy488]

Good job, but just a tip for you when you tightening a nut and bolt or torquing a nut and bolt, always try and hold the bolt and torque or tighten the nut. The nut tightens more like a jam nut giving you a much better lock.

[@cowboytr25]

My next set of ball joints will be the ball joint deletes. Great video thanks. I like that you were straight forward about how it felt on the road.

[@1607rosie]

Pretty cool set up!

[@JEEPIMPACT]

Wholly Molly, I've missed a lot of videos. KZbin isn't doing a good job on the notifications 🙄. Good video thanks 👍

[@TheTurbogixxer]

Thank you for all your video content, is there any way you can do an update on the reliability of these ball joint deletes?

[@jt4211]

That stiffness should loosen up. The same happened when I put in new synergy balljoints. It was pretty squirrelly at first but loosened up after a few 100 miles. I’m planning to do deletes when upgrading the axle. Thanks for the vid.

[@adidas4275]

Can you explain how these are different than the dynatrac ball joints which also use a spherical bearing vs a ball & cup?

[@Davidtheinfidel]

I love them. Will never go back to regular ball joints

[@Kevinrowland-dz2ut]

very well explained- your a pro.

[@ODGColornChrome]

Awesome I wish they had something like that for A arms.

[@n.b.p.davenport7066]

Thumbs up on the video, excellent , right to the point

[@billchessell8213]

Well done!

[@guthrey51]

Thank you, I was already shopping between these, tera, rare, and dyna after my set of "heavy duty lol" ball joints already feel dead in 20k miles. I didnt really understand how they were different than a standard balljoint until you had them apart and explained.

[@hardwickchris1]

Yeah, they are all trash. I'm only running 35's ... I spent over $550 for TeraFlex "ADJUSTABLE / LIFETIME" Ball Joint kit... GOOD LUCK GETTING TERAFLEX TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR WHY TERAFLEX KIT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED...

[@ethangonzales3000]

@@hardwickchris1what ball joints do you recommend?

[@jasonbogdovitz7357]

I’m must be refreshing driving down the road with every possible dash light on lol

[@therightarmofthefreeworld4579]

Thanks, I have 2 F250 hiboys; ‘76 & ‘77. This will definitely help the loaded drive ability on the interstate 👍

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Hey bud, do you have a Dana 60 or 44? my 77 F250 crew had kingpins

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Only available for 92 and newer dana 60

[@rrvallance]

Great video.

[@sferg9582]

Hint: When it gets that hot in your shop, turn off the ceiling fans. Keep the heat up and away and not blowing down on you. Ceiling fans are great in the winter, but not so much in the heat.

[@Nanan00]

Dude get a MRCOOL 24k or 32k mini-split for the garage, I put AC in my garage earlier this summer and it makes life so much better not sweating to death in this humid golf coast Texas heat while working on my YJ. I just picked up a 2012 F350 superduty Dana 60 and a 2002 Tahoe 10.5" 14 Bolt rear axle for my build, I had been thinking about doing the ball joint eliminators when I get to that point but first, re-gear and lockers!

[@run2thefight]

I just did upper and lowers on my XJ and it was a nightmare since I had to long arm crank them in and the press I rented didn’t have the “exact” size press cup to force it in straight. These would be a great alternative since they don’t have the joint leg sticking out to consider when pressing

[@niz308]

36c just another day in Oz hahaha great vid man

[@David-yy7lb]

That's awesome....I did a solid axle swap on my 08 duramax however I used a super dana 60 that came out of a 2018 f350 super duty with 1550 steering u-joints and I would love to use those ball joint deletes what part number for those ball joints for that ford front axle I have

[@scottc3165]

Very nice. I wish I had a nice shop (with a/c!). But I need to do this on 1st Gen 4runner.

[@JeepinBailey]

Any plans to add these to the JT? I could use an upgrade and Considering these for my JL.

[@simisonicblack]

The X-mas tree lights on your dash makes me cringe lol 😂

[@jgc0064]

Maybe the additional caster had something to do with the steering feel as well? Obviously the 3 link needs some love too.

[@oaktreejw]

I would certainly hope that brand new ball joints or in this case delete’s would be super responsive especially after replacing WORN parts

[@BobNob1]

can you make a video of the jeep flexing does the tire go on an angle?

[@richardxstroker]

After a level and 35’s on my Ram, this will probably be my next purchase. Never done ball joints after 105k miles now, but I know it’s time, and I don’t want to be replacing them again.

[@swicked86]

Ground that all the way down 🤣 Grinded just sounds funny...

[@clintdavis9717]

Ball joint delete are a sweet mod. But I have to ask Ben where did you get those front turn signals?

[@chrislorenz4468]

I purchased the barn's tie rod upgrade for my JK from watching your channel and I plan on purchasing these ball join deletes in the near future one question I hope you can answer what is your recommended caster tippinion angle I couldn't find the video that you did once for a stock JK Rubicon axle 4" lift getting vibration and I know my pinion angle is off trying to get her dialed in first alinment shop wasted my money going to another soon if you could give your oh pinion lol thanks for great videos!!

[@leanderpruett4924]

I just went to rcv axles I wonder if these would fit??

[@barrycriswell8967]

Like to see tj vid with ! Im using green /sleeve loctite to hold uppers in

[@TheSleepingonit]

I have to put a pulley on my replacement power steering pump. I got the pulley puller kit, are the adapters that go on the bolts that go into the shaft deliberately too big for the bolts? I just found you and subscribed

[@XxAvengr]

What kind of sidesteps do you got on that jeep? Great video by the way!

[@PowerWash2022]

I wonder if they sell these for different vehicles cause I'm tired of replacing ball joints every yr.

[@SincerelyLate]

Can you do this for pickups also? Or just for Jeep models

[@mazevx2451]

I already had contacted American Iron a while ago but still debating if I should invest in the stock axle, shipping and tax add quite a bit to the price.

[@n.b.p.davenport7066]

They don't make those for most all other vehicles? Looks like fantastic idea!

[@jeffmoore695]

Need a set for my TJ. Can't afford them right. Maybe next year.

[@BunnyTJ]

Looks like an awesome upgrade! what about on the Gladiator? Or is this only for heavy offroading?

[@JKGearandGadgets]

Great upgrade for a jl/jt

[@scottdowney4318]

Same idea is used if you want to straighten steel rod. Heat the side opposite the bend.. When it cools, it shrinks and pulls it straight. Just spot heat to red, dont heat any other places.

[@anthonyshattuck5917]

My 71 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 4×4 is getting some of those.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

they don't offer these for any chevy, and especially half ton axles

[@riverlee001]

Right on!

[@johnnylightning5633]

Do those need to get any type of greasing and in the Northern areas would salt etc be a problem?

[@stevek9844]

Do they make a replacement for the joint on the pittman arm?

[@ELEVENSDIRTLIFE]

Great vid. I’ve been going back and forth on whether or not to switch to deletes. This vid pushed me over to making the switch. On another note, what two post lift do you have? Do you like it? I’m looking at putting one in my shop but fact finding on which one to go with.

[@JKGearandGadgets]

It’s the forward I10. I like it, honestly I didn’t shop around too much, it was a great wholesale closeout deal at a local lift distributor here in OKC. It does have a little wiggle compared to others I’ve used in the past, but it does everything I want

[@ELEVENSDIRTLIFE]

@@JKGearandGadgets awesome. Thanks, I’ll check it out

[@1967250s]

Interesting improvement. How come they don't come with boots and grease nipples if they are used for off roaring? Even for on road, having them sealed up against the elements would be an improvement.

[@americanrambler4972]

Other than the alignment collar, this looks almost exactly like the kingpins on pops old 1969 F-100 Twin I Beam pickup. It. Used bushings instead of your expensive hiem joint setup.

[@181auto3]

If an axle tube is bent, an adjustable bushing does not fix it, as it'll change the axle shaft centerline. Plus, that bolt is not a pin, as it should be, it has very little contact area with how many threads there are.

[@JKGearandGadgets]

Yes if the axle is bent it’s trash. I was referring to a bent C.

[@dittman2564]

It would be nice to see a "detailed" video on the actual install, pressing in the cups/BJD's, while explaining the do's and don'ts of the procedure, and how to get them going in straight/evenly. Also, which tools to use, adapters etc., (apparently there's an angled adapter that works well on Jeep axles, may even be very difficult without it???), getting the axles in without damaging the seals, especially the long side. (I do know some tricks, but I have seen seals still get damaged even with what should have worked to avoid it, and there's always more than one way to skin a cat). And any other pertinent information. I was bummed to see that part of the install shoot by at high speed with little, or really more like no information, on the procedure in this video. That is what I was watching to actually see. maybe you have already done one with that information? I have a 2009 JKUR with Dynatrac ProRock 44U. Reid Racing knuckles, RCV axles, etc. I just ordered a set of Am. Iron BJD's Gen2, had a Gen 1 set waiting and then the Gen 2's came out so looks like I have a set of Gen 1 JK 30/44 BJD's for sale.

[@kimdearrington258]

What about greasing or oiling of the bearings on these deletes? Is that needed in order to lubricate them?

[@wvjeepguy8178]

Nope. No lube needed. They have a Teflon liner.

[@lisamitchell1355]

I wonder if they would fit a 77 Ford F-150 4x4

[@TheRoadhammer379]

nope, only 92 and newer dana 60 Ford axle

[@patricklaughrey8727]

Do the balljoint deletes eliminate the dreaded death wobble??

[@mattbarrett41]

I have an F-350 with Dana 60’s. Will these work?

[@nobodynoone2500]

Ball joints are for articulation. Everything flexes, especially on the trail. You are just moving the failure point to somewhere more expensive and difficult to replace and possibly introducing bind.

[@JKGearandGadgets]

Please explain how balljoints articulate on a solid axle lol…. Very incorrect comment

[@JKGearandGadgets]

How do kingpins work then? The only time a balljoint will articulate is on an IFS axle.

[@eric4847]

Do they have these kits for the factory 04 axle assembly?

[@michelletennant9164]

Would you do this on the jl or jt?

[@lloydprunier4415]

Are the bearings sealed or can they be greased?

[@chandlercalhoun9901]

Hopefully you got the updated 60 axle dust seals. Way better design.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

If anyone is interested in a greaseable ball joint eliminator, check out DOWN TO Fab. His BJE uses zerk fittings and brass bushings.

[@LFTDoffroad]

What, no grease or oil in those joints? that's cool. thanks for the video.

[@ivanbarguez286]

Just ordered me a set