What is this please and what is its purpose?

[jonboy1919]

I'm installing new steer knuckles on a Dana 44 axle. This threaded insert is on the top ball joint hole. It serves no caster/camber adjustment as far as I can tell (it is symmetrically circular).

Is it just a centering ring for the top ball joint? Do I crank it down as far as possible upon installation of the steer knuckle once the lower ball joint is in place and tightened?

 

[Hedgehog]

You are right it is part of the top ball joint. I'm not sure about adjustment, but I do know that it takes a special socket to adjust it. The new ball joint should have a new one with it.

 

[jonboy1919]

Yes, I got two new ones, then fabbed my own tool from some pipe, but still not sure how far to tighten once lower ball joint and knuckle are in place.

 

[Hedgehog]

You need to lay the money down for a decent shop manual.

My 1980 shop manual says to tighten the upper ball stud split ring seat to 50 foot- pounds.

 

[jonboy1919]

You are right, which one do you have? However, this forum is the best by far to substitute for a manual. Thanks for the help.

 

[Hedgehog]

I've got several, this came from the big blue Jeep Technical Manual from Jeep. I've had it for 30 years and it's still handy. If your working on your '80 CJ7 this manual is likely to be correct, not mush really changed in the Dana 30 in that year.

 

[jonboy1919]

Hedgehog, I got a 1979 CJ7 , other than superior door latches, what other differences were there between '79 and '80?

 

[Hedgehog]

Honestly I don't know, there might be some slight changes, but I had an '80 and have a '75. I know both of those. Most things jeep stay the same, but change too. For instance the '77 disk brake axles I'm adapting for my '75 drum brake Dana 30 have wide disks, the'80 has the thinner rotor, exactly where the break off is I don't know. Little things like tht change, but torque settings for ball joints don't change.