How stiff should it be?

[FeelTheNoise]

Sorry, can't help putting innuendos in subject lines...it's a compulsion!

I'm talking about a ball joint. Like many others on here I'm doing the suspension overhaul and replacing all the bushes but as is the way with these things the job just gets bigger. The ball joints are rusty on the outside (10 years old after-all) but the rubber hasn't split. If I move the joint it sticks a little at first but then moves smoothly, I would replace but have no idea if this is normal (haven't taken one off a car before). Is a little stiction normal?

Cheers,
Phil

[trackcar]

Yes there should be stiction .. a new joint is quite stiff to move. As it's all in bits though why not replace them anyway?

[jammy_basturd]

It should be stiff, but you should be able to move it by hand. Giggidy.

[FeelTheNoise]

It does move freely after the initial resistance, but I guess it's probably sensible to replace them rather than wait for them to deteriorate. Thanks for the replies.

Cheers,
Phil

[markh1]

Sorry for the hijack but I have just bought some new lower ball joints and they are impossible to move by hand. Should I send them back or are they meant to be that stiff?

[FeelTheNoise]

My replacement lower ball joints just turned up and they are impossible to move by hand (or maybe we are both just weaklings) but I have to assume this is normal as two of us have experienced the same thing.

I'm a little concerned though, as my steering was heavy enough already without doubling the stiffness of the ball joints!

[Allandwf]

Yes, they should be almost impossible to move by hand when new.

[markh1]

Thats a relief! It will be interesting to see how stiff the steering is when its all back together!