Ball Joint Delete?

[TheBoogieman]

I put over 35,000 miles on the Detroit Axle parts on my XJ alone with zero issues. I've used them on a few other Jeeps too. The company told me they're made in the USA, but who really knows these days. Until I have issues with them, I'll keep buying their stuff.
p.s. I still only use Spicer for u-joints.

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

I put over 35,000 miles on the Detroit Axle parts on my XJ alone with zero issues. I've used them on a few other Jeeps too. The company told me they're made in the USA, but who really knows these days. Until I have issues with them, I'll keep buying their stuff.
p.s. I still only use Spicer for u-joints.

What??? You don't use Spicer BJs, that last a lifetime hahahaha

 

[TheBoogieman]

What??? You don't use Spicer BJs, that last a lifetime hahahaha

I only have use Terry BJs for the past 7 years. Not the best, but I married her.

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

I only have use Terry BJs for the past 7 years. Not the best, but I married her.

seems like a lifetime to me

 

[TheBoogieman]

seems like a lifetime to me

Me too. Divorce #4 seems logical to me now. Jeeps are way cheaper and hold up better over time.

 

[Rescue6]

Time does not give us mileage.

Very true. I have Only actually put about 4k on them between street and trail now. As I drove it daily for a month after install for some testing. But my Jeep typically sees 90% dirt and only 3 - 4K a year. So for me it’s a lot on them. But they have been beat offroad on 8+ rated trails 13 trips so far. I know I don’t have a ton of use on them yet but I would have destroyed a spicer unfortunately by now based on my last few years of experience with them. Are they for everyone nope. I have no skin in the game other than my experience working with Josh getting the prototype measurements and fitment done with him for these TJ size kits. I hounded him for at least a year and a half to build them before he even started the work on them. I know he has a few guys now over 30k miles On Jk’s as those have been available longer and multiple guys with the larger model axles that have run them this year racing at KOH with good success as well as over the last few years in other racing series.

 

[fjgonza]

Hi guys! Reviving in 2025 as I am considering a set of American Iron offroad ball joint deletes for my TJ rubicon. My main reason is that standard spicer ball joints are too lose and my mechanic decided to tack weld them in... I do not feel safe with this approach and think the double shear hardware clamping mechanism of the delete is a good option for my use case as it doesn't depend on the press in friction force like normal ball joints do. I was wondering if you (@Rescue6) had kept running them, what your experience was in terms of durability/rebuilds and any tips you may have. Thanks in advance!!

 

[suicideking]

Hi guys! Reviving in 2025 as I am considering a set of American Iron offroad ball joint deletes for my TJ rubicon. My main reason is that standard spicer ball joints are too lose and my mechanic decided to tack weld them in... I do not feel safe with this approach and think the double shear hardware clamping mechanism of the delete is a good option for my use case as it doesn't depend on the press in friction force like normal ball joints do. I was wondering if you (@Rescue6) had kept running them, what your experience was in terms of durability/rebuilds and any tips you may have. Thanks in advance!!

I ordered them, but didn't end up needing them. Yet...

The company was great to deal with. I had them for a few weeks. They let me return them and refunded my money.

 

[Wildman]

Here's when they were being developed. And then more input.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/american-iron-offroad-balljoint-deletes.41103/

 

[JMT]

Hi guys! Reviving in 2025 as I am considering a set of American Iron offroad ball joint deletes for my TJ rubicon. My main reason is that standard spicer ball joints are too lose and my mechanic decided to tack weld them in... I do not feel safe with this approach and think the double shear hardware clamping mechanism of the delete is a good option for my use case as it doesn't depend on the press in friction force like normal ball joints do. I was wondering if you (@Rescue6) had kept running them, what your experience was in terms of durability/rebuilds and any tips you may have. Thanks in advance!!

The AI Ball Joint Deletes are still press fit. They suggest putting them in the freezer for an hour prior for an easier install. They also mention tack welding them on, presumably if the ball joint recess is wallowed out (?). I don’t have any experience with durability/rebuilds. I’m just researching. They are more like a kingpin. They only rotate and don’t permit any lateral movement as far as I can tell.

 

[lBasket]

The AI Ball Joint Deletes are still press fit. They suggest putting them in the freezer for an hour prior for an easier install. They also mention tack welding them on, presumably if the ball joint recess is wallowed out (?). I don’t have any experience with durability/rebuilds. I’m just researching. They are more like a kingpin. They only rotate and don’t permit any lateral movement as far as I can tell.

Can you rebuild them without removing them from the knuckle? Or maybe C is the right term

 

[JMT]

Can you rebuild them without removing them from the knuckle? Or maybe C is the right term

The rebuild is replacing the spherical bearings (IIRC), and I believe that is the case. Remove the nut, then you can get the bearing out, swap new in and bolt back together. You just have to press in once. That’s why one option is to spot weld them in place.

 

[mrblaine]

They only rotate and don’t permit any lateral movement as far as I can tell.

All the TJ ball joints are the same. None of them allow lateral movement and if they do, they are too worn to use.