MK2 Control Arms?

[svassh]

I'll dig into this tomorrow nite but I noticed the upper and lower ball joints on the passenger side are coming loose or maybe were never tightened. Any ideas on what could have caused this or other things I should check out?

[CraigS]

Uppers working loose is pretty common. I'd get new ones, install them and then do a couple of small tack welds to keep them from spinning. The lowers look like 'maybe' they need a spacer under the nut. A stack of several hardened washers will do. I can't remember any of the lowers coming loose but it has been common for the nut to end up below the hole for the cotter pin when it is tightened.

[rich grsc]

Yes the one upper has worked loose, the others have worn out grease boots. Looks like that has never been greased. ��. The steering arm is not loose, just the boot is so damaged it isn't covering the stud. Needs to be disassembled an all the boots replaced.

[svassh]

Thanks guys

[Jeff Kleiner]

As said the one upper joint has backed out and the boots on both lowers are dried and broken. Neither appear to have been lubed for a long, long time if ever. The passenger side lower does not look like the spindle has been pulled down on the taper as far as the driver's side. Maybe the two joints have different length tapered studs??? If so the driver's side needs a hard spacer so that the castle nut will align with the cotter pin hole. In either case neither has a cotter pin locking the nut; can't see it they are present on the uppers. You asked about "...other things I should check out?" Frankly, after seeing this I'd say EVERYTHING because it doesn't look like the car has been very well maintained.

Jeff

[weendoggy]

Those lower ball joints are the press-in type. This is the second edition F5 did when doing LCA's. If they're loose, I'd make sure they're pressed in and tack weld in a few spots to keep them there. I had to do that to a customer's car and they were new.

Clean everything, reassemble, new dust boots, grease and keep an eye on things. Also, lube the chassis a couple times a year (at least check it).

[svassh]

As said the one upper joint has backed out and the boots on both lowers are dried and broken. Neither appear to have been lubed for a long, long time if ever. The passenger side lower does not look like the spindle has been pulled down on the taper as far as the driver's side. Maybe the two joints have different length tapered studs??? If so the driver's side needs a hard spacer so that the castle nut will align with the cotter pin hole. In either case neither has a cotter pin locking the nut; can't see it they are present on the uppers. You asked about "...other things I should check out?" Frankly, after seeing this I'd say EVERYTHING because it doesn't look like the car has been very well maintained.

Jeff

Yeah, I've been looking since it had a header leak with a missing bolt. Upon further inspection every header bolt was loose, not even finger tight. It looks like a fairly well built kit but I'm guessing the PO either tracked it or auto crossed quite a bit. And as you say poorly maintained it. But hey I wanted to build one anyways :)

I'be already ordered new boots for everything will tighten up the passenger side tonight then take it all apart and relube and possibly replace any bad ball joints when the new boot covers come in.

[svassh]

Got it all tightened up easily, added a cotter pin on the lower ball joint, it was loose and about to fall out. Feel like I cheated the grim reaper considering how I've been driving it. Amazing how much quieter and more stable the front end is now.