METALCLOAK
Reference: MC1918
Service parts
MetalCloak Lower Baller Joint Rebuild Kit, Jeep Wrangler JK
The complete set of wear parts for two lower MetalCloak Baller Joints — new ball spindles, races, retainers, O-rings, wipers, castle nuts and cotter pins. Two of every component, so both sides are rebuilt in one go. Service without removing the axle, about 1 hour. For MetalCloak joints only, not factory ball joints. The upper joints have a separate kit.
MetalCloak Lower Baller Joint Rebuild Kit, Jeep Wrangler JK
The lower joint works harder than the upper one — it carries most of the load, and it is usually the first to say that a service is due. On a factory setup that means replacing the whole joint. On a Baller Joint it means replacing what has actually worn.
This kit is the complete set of wear parts for two lower joints: new ball spindles, races, retainers, seals and the small hardware. MetalCloak designed it for service without taking the axle off the vehicle.
VEHICLE Jeep Wrangler JK 2007–2018 | CONTENTS A set for two lower joints | TIME approx. 1 h, no modification |
⚠ This is a service part for MetalCloak joints
The kit fits MetalCloak Baller Joints only — not factory ball joints and not other brands. If your vehicle still has its original joints, this kit does nothing for you; what you need is a Baller Joints set, which we stock in two versions.
It is also the LOWER joint kit. The upper joints have their own rebuild kit — we stock that too.
Upper or lower — how to tell
Both kits cover two joints, but the contents differ because the joints are built differently:
THIS KIT — LOWER (1918) Ball spindle, race, retainer, O-ring, wiper. A simpler assembly, but this is the joint carrying most of the load. JK 2007–2018 only. | UPPER KIT (1920) Adds a spherical race, composite bushing, wave spring and washer — the upper joint carries the adjustable preload and has more parts. JK plus TJ/LJ 1997–2006. |
Rebuilding the whole set takes both kits. Not sure which joint has gone? Get in touch, or bring the vehicle in and we will check at a service.
Key benefits
- A set for both sides – every component comes in twos. You rebuild both lower joints in one go.
- New ball spindles, not just seals – you replace the part that actually wears.
- Races and retainers included – they are what decides whether the original steering precision comes back after the rebuild.
- Service without removing the axle – MetalCloak rates the work as easy and allows about an hour.
- A fraction of the cost of a new set of joints – which is exactly why you buy Baller Joints instead of factory ones.
 | When a rebuild is due
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What's in the kit
- 2 × lower ball joint spindle
- 2 × bearing race
- 2 × retainer
- 2 × O-ring
- 2 × rod wiper
- 2 × castle nut
- 2 × cotter pin
Note: MetalCloak's own kit list calls the spindle an "Upper Ball Joint Spindle" — a slip carried over from the upper joint kit. The photograph and the rest of the specification make clear this is the lower joint.
Technical data
- Application: MetalCloak Baller Joints, lower
- Vehicle: Jeep Wrangler JK 2007–2018
- Contents: a set for two joints (both sides)
- Installation difficulty: easy
- Time to install: approx. 1 hour
- Body modification: none
- Service without removing the axle: yes
- Manufacturer's instructions: none provided
- Shipping weight: approx. 1.36 kg
- Country of manufacture: USA
Who it is for
For Baller Joint owners a few seasons in, and for the workshops that service them. The lower joint usually goes first, so this is the kit reached for more often. It is also worth having on the shelf before a long trip — with adjustable preload the play usually comes out with a wrench, but when it stops doing so, it is better to have the parts to hand than to wait for a shipment from the other side of the Atlantic.
Installation notes
MetalCloak rates the work as easy and allows about an hour, with no modification to the vehicle and no need to remove the axle. No written instructions are supplied with this kit — the manufacturer assumes the rebuild is done by someone familiar with how these joints are built.
After any work on the steering and suspension an alignment is mandatory. Szekla4x4.pl is an authorised MetalCloak dealer with a workshop specialising in off-road suspension — we will rebuild the joints, set the preload and do the alignment.
Why it is worth it
- A joint you rebuild instead of a joint you replace — that is the whole difference between Baller Joints and factory ones.
- A set for both sides in one box, with no picking parts individually.
- A rebuild costs a fraction of a new set of joints.
Not sure whether your joints still just need adjusting, or a rebuild? Get in touch, or bring the vehicle in and we will check.
Frequently asked questions
Does it fit factory ball joints?
No. It is a service part for MetalCloak Baller Joints only.
Is this the lower or the upper joint kit?
The lower. The upper joints have a separate rebuild kit, which we also stock.
How many joints does one kit cover?
Two — every component comes in twos, so both sides are rebuilt in one go.
Does the axle have to come off?
No. MetalCloak designed this kit for in-vehicle service and allows about an hour for it.
Does it fit the TJ?
No. This kit is for the Wrangler JK 2007–2018. MetalCloak uses a separate part number for the TJ.
Are installation instructions provided?
MetalCloak does not supply written instructions with this kit. If you have questions we will help — or do the rebuild in our workshop.
