cgundermann
03-18-2011, 04:06 PM
When building the front suspension on my MK4, I could not get my FFR lower control arm ball joint to seat/tighten into the front spindle. Essentially, the castle nut would spin and I could not torque to the required setting (if you experience this, it is also difficult to untighten/remove, so - preload/jack up the ball joint with a 27 MM socket underneath, oil the castle nut and hit it with an impact wrench). What I learned, was the FFR spacer which sits below the castle nut was bottoming out at the end of the ball joint threads and would not allow the tapered ball joint stud to seat in the spindle. The ball joint thread ends at a small shelf before it transitions to the taper of the ball joint stud. If you use a dremel tool and create a slight taper in the spacer/washer to allow it to drop slightly onto the stud's taper, she will tighten right up. Also recommend using some additional washers to marry up the castle nut slots with the cotter pin.