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Problem with ball joint fitment

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by mike759, Aug 2, 2022.

  1. Aug 2, 2022 at 4:33 PM
    #1
    mike759

    mike759 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I ordered these control arms with ball joints (https://www.ebay.com/itm/143583269260#vi-desc-maincntr) and installed them last week but can't get the ball joints to sit in the spindle correctly. The washers seem to sit right yet there is a ton of play no matter how tight they're sandwiched on there. I know they're ebay parts and probably unreliable, but has anyone bought these and/or have a solution?
    68065831347__3660E568-34FE-4D98-B8B7-33900726C457.jpg
    2F2641F9-911A-4FF8-A0D0-EEC90939CB27.jpg
     
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    #1
  2. Aug 2, 2022 at 4:37 PM
    #2
    saint277

    saint277 Vigilo Confido

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    Compare the profile of the new ball joint stud to your old stock one, see if anything stands out.
     
  3. Aug 2, 2022 at 4:42 PM
    #3
    mike759

    mike759 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thought about that a few days after throwing out the old ones lol
     
  4. Aug 2, 2022 at 4:46 PM
    #4
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Either your arms are upside down or your ball joints are installed upside down.

    If they are compared with the stock upper ball joints.

    this is a 4x4 ?
     
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    #4
  5. Aug 2, 2022 at 4:48 PM
    #5
    mike759

    mike759 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It is a 4x4. The control arms and ball joints came together and were already mounted to each other.
     
  6. Aug 2, 2022 at 4:58 PM
    #6
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #6
  7. Aug 2, 2022 at 5:00 PM
    #7
    mike759

    mike759 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  8. Aug 2, 2022 at 5:09 PM
    #8
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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  9. Aug 2, 2022 at 5:14 PM
    #9
    mike759

    mike759 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm thinking the same, except it's both sides
     
  10. Aug 2, 2022 at 5:15 PM
    #10
    MalinoisDad

    MalinoisDad Misanthropic dog person

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    Did they come with decent instructions? Was there a knuckle adapter you needed press in?..?

    All parts that are assembled by you are in the correct order?
     
  11. Aug 2, 2022 at 5:38 PM
    #11
    mike759

    mike759 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No directions hahaha
     
  12. Aug 2, 2022 at 5:49 PM
    #12
    MalinoisDad

    MalinoisDad Misanthropic dog person

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    There’s no top washer on my aftermarket UCAs. I’m wondering if that top washer wants to be below, either on top of or below the one that’s there now. If there’s no metal surface for the top one to push on then it isn’t doing anything. It’s possible both washers belong on the bottom.
     
  13. Aug 2, 2022 at 5:55 PM
    #13
    mlcc

    mlcc Well-Known Member

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    This^ with SPC control arms theres an adapter for the ball joint

    Edit: you got hosed
     
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  14. Aug 2, 2022 at 6:02 PM
    #14
    MalinoisDad

    MalinoisDad Misanthropic dog person

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    I think the top washer is preventing the shank of the ball joint from fully seating. Gonna attach a pic of when I was changing out boots on my JBA uppers. Again, no top washer. The ball joint shank is fluted and passes all the way through the adapter getting the washer(s) on the bottom side only. Could be this simple if OP winged it without instructions.

    OP did you get a knuckle adapter in the kit or two flat washers?

    341E3708-7B90-4726-BCA9-86840DBA69B3.jpg
     
  15. Aug 2, 2022 at 6:07 PM
    #15
    mlcc

    mlcc Well-Known Member

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    Still need an adapter though
     
  16. Aug 2, 2022 at 6:09 PM
    #16
    MalinoisDad

    MalinoisDad Misanthropic dog person

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    Maybe he got one. The bottom whatever it is does look a hair thicker than the top washer. I clicked on the link for the part but the pics aren’t clear enough. However it did say it comes with digital instructions, OP :boink:
     
  17. Aug 2, 2022 at 7:42 PM
    #17
    mike759

    mike759 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I contacted the seller about a copy of the instructions. What are y’all suggesting about the top washer? Should there be nothing on top and is that one supposed to be on the bottom?
     
  18. Aug 2, 2022 at 7:46 PM
    #18
    mike759

    mike759 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I don’t entirely understand how your setup works
     
  19. Aug 2, 2022 at 7:46 PM
    #19
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    See the c clip on his knuckle? It's a custom fit adapter for the joint to sit into.
     
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  20. Aug 2, 2022 at 7:47 PM
    #20
    saint277

    saint277 Vigilo Confido

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    I think hes saying you need an insert to go into the hole in the spindle.
     

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