New Upper Ball Joint - extra part needed? (Page 1/3)
Brent7088 JUL 03, 08:28 PM
I'm installing new upper front ball joints and trying to figure out if the metal spacer that came in the set is necessary to install with it. I didn't remove one on the old ball joints so I personally don't think it's needed. I can see how it would be installed if I did add it, but it would not sit flush against the base of the mounting area (there would be a space in between). Please let me know what you think....





fierosound JUL 03, 08:56 PM
It goes underneath the control arm to hold the grease boot in place.
It's thin enough to form into place when ball joint bolts are tightened.

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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 07-03-2020).]

Brent7088 JUL 03, 11:11 PM
Thanks FS - That must really be a super tight fit then to be flush against the underside of the ball joint. I just didn't really think it was necessary to put on since the old one didn't have one; I'll bolt it in either way.

[This message has been edited by Brent7088 (edited 07-03-2020).]

IMSA GT JUL 03, 11:37 PM
Here's a picture of one removed. It does indeed fit.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 07-03-2020).]

Brent7088 JUL 04, 12:52 AM
Thanks IMSA for the info... I'll go ahead and put it on there.
Brent7088 JUL 05, 12:43 AM
Well I installed the ball joint with the metal collar and tightened down the castle nut and the mounting nuts as much as I possibly could – but as you can see from the pics below, the boot seems to be scrunched up quite a bit from all the pressure. There is also a gap between the BJ mounting area and the control arm with the lip of the boot visible, but I suppose that was to be expected.

Can anyone see what I may have done wrong or forgot to do?




Patrick JUL 05, 03:12 AM

quote
Originally posted by Brent7088:

Can anyone see what I may have done wrong or forgot to do?



It's been a long time since I've replaced ball joints, but is there a reason why you have the control arms hanging down so low? I think if you raised the lower control arm, things would look and/or go together much better.
IMSA GT JUL 05, 04:02 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

It's been a long time since I've replaced ball joints, but is there a reason why you have the control arms hanging down so low? I think if you raised the lower control arm, things would look and/or go together much better.



That's what I'm trying to understand. Whats going on with that extreme angle of the arm....or is that because the sway bar is removed?
Brent7088 JUL 05, 04:38 AM
Patrick & IMSA - yes, the stabilizer bar was removed to replace that as well. When I went back out in my garage and tried again, it FINALLY dawned on me that that has to be the issue, since that bar helps to hold up the bottom control arm. I had taken it off first before getting the upper ball joint off because I had a tough time getting a wrench on the BJ nuts (left nut is really close to that bar).

Tomorrow I'm going to go ahead and install the new stabilizer bar first before tightening down the ball joint all the way, and I believe that will make all the difference in the world (I should have thought about that from the get go). Thank you for pointing that out to me.

[This message has been edited by Brent7088 (edited 07-05-2020).]

Brent7088 JUL 12, 02:33 AM
While installing the new stabilizer link, I wasn't real sure how everything was to be stacked on the bolt. Does this look like everything is in order before I go and tighten it and the ball joint down down all the way?



PS: For anyone installing new stabilizer links, do not order the ACDelco; I ordered one from Rockauto and found out the bolts are about 1.25" too short. I went with Moog and it was a perfect match.