DEFECTIVE AUTOZONE Ball Joint

[boborc]

Just a little FYI. Last week I was replacing wheel bearings and broke the boot on my ball joint so I ran to Autozone to get a new one. Just the joint its self without the arm had to cut off the rivets,well back to the story. After installing the joint with the supplied pinch bolt on my way home the ball joint FELL OUT collapsing my wheel under the car and detroying my CV joint. Well my brother and I couldn't believe it fell out, what did we do wrong?it looked correct. Then we noticed the slope after installing it again we dug the original bolt out of the garbage and noticed that while the both had 10mm threads the original bolt had a shoulder that was roughly .060" thicker (.385" to .445" approx.). That is the reason why the joint fell out using the old bolt with no problems!!contacted Autozone online and at the store and got a cold shoulder response. IF ANYONE gets a balljoint from Autozone DO NOT use the supplied bolt, YOU COULD BE KILLED. Also has this happens to anyone else?? this was for a 2003 Focus

[MagicRat]

If the bolt that came with the joint failed, it may be counterfiet. Fake bolts made overseas have been a big problem for industry over the past 25 years.

They are fake simply because they are not made to the specifications indicated on the bolt head. China, where many auto parts are made these days) is awash in such fasteners.

IMO if you still have the failed parts, call NHTSA and Public Citizen, to let the authorities know of this problem, and Autozone head office to get some compensation. If this is a one-time-only situation, nothing may happen, but if your experience is corroborated by other complaints, something may come of it.

[rhandwor]

Look at the bolt grade they should be at least 10.9 this is stamped on the head.
Most hardware stores sell this grade and also Tractor Supply.
Remember use lock washers and tighten to proper specs.