JBA Offroad Upper Control Arms And Suspension MEGA Thread BS thread

Anyone running moly lithium grease NG2 grease in their JBAs as recommended?

I could not locate any Mobilux Moly Lithium so ordered a couple cartridges of this:

$25 TRIAX Guardian Heavy Duty Grease with Moly, True Multi Purpose, Wheel Bearings, Shock Loaded Components, Extremely Tacky, Zero Separation (2 Pack - 14 Ounce Tubes)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083YRD4S7?th=1&psc=1

 

I have the same question, so did you remove the second bottom washer or keep both? Or two washers on top? The boot looks so short...

 

I just installed these. There’s an update on the website You put both on the bottom to compress the rubber boot up tight over the ball joint.

 

Thanks I’ll check out the website! Any tips on getting the skinny washers in place?? There is absolutely no room.

 

I used a screw driver just tap it in enough to get a little gap then hammer it right in took 5 minutes. Thicker washer outside thinner one inside FYI

 

Thank you not only for the tip but responding so fast. Easy peasy lol! Now to tighten everything and move on to the passenger side.

 

New ball joints installed today.

 

Did you tighten up the ball joint? It doesn’t look tight just checking

 

Not yet, doing it now. What do you torque it to? 81 ft/lbs?

 

Yah just checked the web site it said 60lbs

 

What’s up with that spacer on the ball joint? I don’t have that.

 

https://support.jbaoffroad.com/faq/why-2-washers-on-the-ball-joint

Fwiw, there are 2 washers per JBAs ball joint. After perusing this thread some folks have been placing one washer above and one below, or just one above. Obviously those are incorrect installations and might explain the complaints claiming the boots don't hold grease properly. If the grease washes out, the ball joint is going to wear prematurely.

I also noticed some folks are not using the recommended grease which again might account for those claiming JBAs fail or wear out quickly. Ball joints are not roller bearings, they are extreme pressure high shock joints in which molybdenum disulfuide (3%) is added to lithium based NG2 grease to decrease shear wear. Both Caterpillar and John Deere heavy equipment require the same type of grease.



Any deviation from the above and your mileage may vary.

 

Oh shoot i didn't know about the 2 washers. I had it installed wrong. Going to fix it this weekend. Along with some new grease

 

My dad pulled the arm out while I fit the washer in or use a pry bar

 

If you have a set of the new boot and ball joint design no washers are needed period FYI to y’all

 

????

 

This is the new design boot and no washers are needed between it and the spindle. The boot seats right against the spindle. The new boot design only works with the newly designed ball joint housing because there is a groove cut into it to zip tie the boot down tight.

 

That makes more sense now. I saw both boot designs on the JBA website which does make for confusion. Was not sure which is the newest? I ordered a set last Monday, so it might be another couple weeks?

 

[/QUOTE]
You are correct it can be kinda confusing. The new boot and ball joint came out 7/22 so it’s fairly new. The new boot has those two round rings bulging out, yes I just used bulging as a descriptor lol. The old design is flat all the way around. Keep in mind the new boot design will only work with the newer ball joint housing design. So if you have an arm from before 7/22/20 then the older model with the smooth sides is what you’ll need to buy.