27 replies to this topic

[Rubbershorts]

Hi guys. Just changed the cones, and whilst they were off, reconditioned the upper suspension arms. Reassembled the near side no bother, but now can't get the drivers side upper ball joint bolt to meet the hole in the upper arm. What the heck have I done? Cheers, Darren.

[nicklouse]

No idea. Pictures of the problem will help. Most likely you have tightened things before you should or you have not followed the info on the workshop manual.

[MrBrown]

Jack up the lower arm until it meets the upper?

[KTS]

Educated guess; unequal length driveshafts means the nearside hub can drop lower than the offside one before the driveshaft fouls on the subframe making assembly easier.

For the offside I use a length of 2x2 and a prybar to lever up the upper arm to refit the hub

[Steam]

Is it too high, too low, too left, too right?
They can be tight but jacking the upper arm can help.

[Spider]

Typically, the arm needs to be raised to get the Pin in from under in the Driver's side.

You can compress the Cone a bit of you has (as I suspect) a Cone Compressor. I have a small 1/4 tone chain block I use here, hooked over the upper Shock Mount and lift the arm with that.

[Rubbershorts]

So I've already jacked up the the whole assembly to get the bolt from the ball joint to meet the hole in the upper arm. It's just that it sits too far out from where it should be. It sits maybe 2 inch out, like the upper arm is too short?! I'd post a picture but when I try I'm told the files are too big. Sorry fellas, I'm new🥴

[Rubbershorts]

Hopefully there is now a picture attached

Attached Files

•  instasize_240717063130.jpg   26.18K   8 downloads

[Rubbershorts]

Forgot to mention, I've compressed the cone again but this does nothing to shorten this gap.

[MiniJosh92]

The pot joint has come apart, the inner has come out of the outer.

[Rubbershorts]

Thanks MiniJosh, just shown the picture to a work mate and he diagnosed the same. So is that a bit of wiggling and a good push in?

[MiniMadRacer]

You would need to check that none of the ball bearings have fallen out, but yes, turn the hub and a gentle push back in should do it. Hopefully you havent split the gaiter, or dropped any balls out of the cage.

[nicklouse]

That’s a driveshaft issue.

[Rubbershorts]

Okay Josh, if it pushes back in does that means all the ball bearings are in place and I'm okay, or will I still need to take the gaiter off and check?

[Steam]

You will really need to disassemble the pot joint to be sure, it would also be wise to make sure the cage and spider are assemled correctly. They can be put on back to front if someone has messed with it prior to you. The cage should not be able to come off the shaft without disassembly.