Lower Ball Joint issue

[Sycraft]

Replace lower arms with Heidts ( has Chrysler OE ball joints according to them), now the steering is so stiff that it has severe memory steer. As soon as I release the lower ball joints the steering frees up ( on jack stands) the lower ball joints supplied are extremely stiff. I have ordered low friction Afco units and new Moog for comparison (K772). anyone run into this before. Manual steering, no geometry changes. Classic Roadster II

[Sycraft]

Quick update, the heidts ball joints are press in and not threaded... but arms are bare and waiting for low friction joints

[Sycraft]

Little stumped.. even with new lower ball joints, the low friction afcos, steering still feels stiff... hopefully just need to break in.. tried 2 different joints, oe Chrysler, binding alot, and low friction, still stiff but better. New lower arms too, but same as old ones that came out. Loosen lowers and steering frees up.

[bobcowan]

Is that with the car on jack stands? Or on the ground?

[Sycraft]

On stands, need to drive

[bobcowan]

With the suspension at full droop, it will not turn like it should. Put a jack under the lower arms and just barely lift the car off the jack stands. Now you'll get a better idea of how it moves.

[Sycraft]

Put original arms with new joints, all better