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Subject:Ball joint observation 2WD
From:Dennis Haynes
Date:Thu, 2 Sep 2021 12:56:58 +0000

So doing a front end. Using the Febi lower and Lemforder (China) uppers, the fit was as expected. The joints fit and had the necessary articulation. I did have to fight with the supplied snap rings. But note the with the suspension extended the upper ball joint did not fully seat in the control arm unless the lower arm is lifted. This is using a Gabriel 69861 shock. For using this shock, the stem is not fully threaqed. A 10mm washer needs to added to get the top washer to clamp on the shock tower spacer bushing. The GoWesty ball joint spacer fixed the ball joint spacing perfectly.

Also, this is a new JP upper control arm installed with the Nolathane (Whiteline) bushings. Even after replacing the eccentric washers with 4mm there was still play for the arm to move front-rear. As I've done I the past I added shims to the bushing shoulders to take this up, 3mm total. Works nicely now.

https://1drv.ms/a/s!AqaEiIhKCAKbkf8pBepkKcVxaXSwig

Dennis