Teraflex 3442022 Heavy Duty Ball Joint Set - with Knurling for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK
Heavy-Duty Construction: Built from high-strength materials for superior durability and performance under extreme use.
Improved Steering Control: Provides tighter tolerances and smoother operation compared to factory ball joints.
Two Options Available: Non-knurled (3442002) for in-spec knuckles, and knurled (3442022) for worn or stretched knuckles.
Serviceable Design: Greasable for extended life and easy maintenance over time.
Trusted TeraFlex Quality: Designed and tested by one of the most respected names in Jeep performance parts.
The TeraFlex Heavy Duty Ball Joint Set for Jeep Wrangler JK is engineered for Jeep owners who demand superior steering performance and long-lasting durability, whether on the road or tackling the toughest trails. Manufactured with premium materials and advanced design, these ball joints address the common wear issues found in factory joints, offering tighter tolerances, smoother operation, and improved serviceability. TeraFlex offers two options for the JK: the non-knurled version (3442002) for Jeeps with factory knuckles that are still within spec, and the knurled version (3442022) for knuckles that have been stretched or previously fitted with knurled ball joints. Both sets deliver the strength and reliability that serious off-roaders and daily drivers alike depend on.
Upper Ball Joint Features
- Extremely hard sintered wear bushings to handle extreme side load demands without failure
- Magnesium Phosphate coating to inhibit corrosion throughout
- Heat treated 4140 chromoly ball/stud & 1045 carbon steel housing
- Factory style serrated flange nut & grease fitting
- Without knurls
Lower Ball Joint Features
- Hard alloy tool steel slotted wear plate for ball / stud to socket wear protection
- Wear plate features grease channels for increased flow through entire joint ensuring longevity & predictable operation
- Magnesium Phosphate coating to inhibit corrosion & friction throughout
- Heat treated 4140 chromoly ball / stud
- Huge 30mm (1.18”) ball
- Factory style serrated flanged castle nut
- Ball joint pre-load adjustability provides the end user w/ near effortless wear adjustment (kid includes Preload Adjustment Tool)
- Low-profile single lip dust seal eliminates torn conventional dust boot concerns
- Adjustable ball stud retaining ring for accurate initial & future preload adjustments that can be done w/out any axle disassembly
- Adjustable preload can be performed with simple hand tools
- Adjustable end cap with two (2) zerk fittings (“Frog Eye”) allow greasing access from either side w/out axle shaft removal even with larger RCV shafts
- Dual helical grease grooves machined in the retaining ring allow spent grease to exit through the low-profile seal
- Low-profile seal prevents contaminants, while allowing spent grease to evacuate from the ball joint
- Without knurls
Notes:
- We recommend ball joints without knurls as they will not score the inner knuckle and open up the bore.
- We also offer ball joint with knurls for ball joints that have a loose press fit in the inner knuckle due to repeated ball joint replacement or if knurled ball joints have been installed previously.
Level 2IntermediateWe recommend ball joints without knurls as they will not score the inner knuckle and open up the bore.
- Upper Ball Joint - Pair
- Lower Ball Joint - Pair
- Grease Fitting Tool
- Nuts
- Cotter Pins
- Features: Metal, Nylon or Adjustable, Chromoly, Steel
- Color: Black
Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2018 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2017 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2016 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2015 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2014 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2013 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2012 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2011 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2010 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2009 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
- 2007 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door (JK)
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
- 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-Door (JK)
Teraflex Heavy Duty Ball Joint Set Options
| Part Number | Catalog # | Options | Price | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3442002 | 16990-0100 | without Knurling | $307.99 | ||||||
| 3442022 | 16990-0101 | with Knurling | $307.99 |
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Teraflex Heavy Duty Ball Joint Set Reviews
Replaced my factory ball joints that were worn at 47,000. Easy install.
No issues after a week of serious 4 wheeling in Colorado.
wonderful product
May be the best ball joint you can buy.
Questions
While the choice between knurled and non-knurled affects the fit inside your steering knuckle, the "clearance modification" usually refers to the axle stub shaft, which is a separate requirement based on your Jeep's model year.
Knurled vs. Non-Knurled: The Difference
The "knurling" (small ridges on the ball joint body) is strictly about the press-fit into your axle's inner C.
Non-Knurled Ball Joints are smooth. TeraFlex officially recommends these for first-time replacements because they don't score or enlarge the bore of your factory knuckle.
Knurled Ball Joints are slightly "fatter" to provide a tight grip if your knuckles have been wallowed out by repeated replacements or previous knurled joints.
The "Clearance Modification" Requirement
The modification you likely saw in posts refers to the lower ball joint clearance with the axle shafts.
2007–2011 JK Models: These are a direct bolt-on with no modification required.
2012–2018 JK Models: Jeep introduced larger diameter factory stub shafts during the 2012 model year. Because TeraFlex HD ball joints have a beefier housing, they can interfere with these larger shafts.
The Fix: Regardless of whether you choose knurled or non-knurled, you will likely need to perform minor grinding on the stub shaft forging (not the ball joint itself) to provide about 0.125" of clearance.
Final Recommendation:
If this is your first time replacing your factory ball joints, you should definitely go with the Non-Knurled Set to preserve your axle knuckles. Just be prepared to do the minor stub-shaft clearancing if your Jeep is a 2012 or newer model.
