So, we just replaced the driver's side ball joints. Used Spicer branded upper and lower joints. Did not replace the brass insert on knuckle for the lower ball joint though.

Now it about 50mph it starts to vibrate as if it's trying to go into death wobble. We just put in a new steering stablizer, so it's absorbing most of the vibes. It certainly didn't do this before the new joints though.

Any ideas?? Is replacing the brass insert for the lower joint really that necessary? I'm thinking that the shaft for the lower ball joint might be "swimming" around inside of the brass insert. That's to a very, very minor degree though b/c the shaft is tapered, hence self locking, especially when torqued to 100ft/lbs. Thoughts??

 

Was there already a brass insert in your axle? Mine just pressed straight in.

DW can be caused by tons of things. Have you looked at other factors? Sudden vibrations above 50 MPH says tire balance to me.

 

Before tinkering with the BJ's, i fought death wobble and prevailed. Now that i have replaced the upper/lower control arms, trailing arm, steering box, tie rod, and 4 freshly balanced tires, there's little else to do...

As for the lower BJ, i did not inspect the knuckle before bolting the BJ in. Never replaced any brass insert ever. Dunno if there even is a brass insert or if the car ever had one at all.
I do know that i had to take the knuckle off after bolting the BJ in the first time, then had to bolt it back together a second time.

Think it's possible that we loosened up the tolerances in the core/center of the brass insert (the area that holds the ball joint shaft)???
There's little else that could have possibly caused this vibration, especially as i had none before the ball joints.

 

Replace the other side as well