Cherryokee

My '99 Cherokee LTD has a lower ball joint nut size of 1 1/8" on the driver side but the passenger side is larger (had to use the big adjustable and a bfh). WTF??? Anybody have a clue?

peep

Did someone slip a metric lower ball joint on the passenger side? Did you own since new? Has the passenger side yoke been swapped? What size is the nut on your new ball joint and does the ball joint fit your yoke? (assume since you are disassembling your have intent to exchange) You have been Jeepified.

Cherryokee

Hi Peep. Yes, I am the OO. Cannot confirm or deny prior rework. Now 167K miles and this is first time I personally did the ball joints. Size difference defies logic, unless of-course you think it's just another Jeep thing....

peep

Well those jeep things are totally mistifying. I have had parts arrive from carquest and apc auto parts suppliers, same box, same stock #, different parts in box??? For instance front bearing spools, one made in USA then other side made in Chine (the Chine part interfered with the new brake rotor and was exchanged for matching made in USA part). So during previous service the parts company could have had more than one supply source. With big nuts it is not common but it is possible the hex size can varry. I have had different size hex on nuts for same thread application (ex. New clamp nuts for ram height adjust on the 250T Blow press at work, also exchanged with industrial supplier for match set).
I guess the important thing is your old joints came out, the new joints match each other and appear to be good to fit into both driver and passenger yokes, and you actually have a socket to fit the new nuts. Hope all goes well for your service, last I did mine 3 out of 4 were cake walk, driver upper decided to put up a fight, it did put up a good fight but eventually gave in under pressure. Hey, love that Boston Rob on the survivor show.

peep

PS, have been considering a peak for the Peep, yours really looks cool.