I having trouble fitting the ball joint back into the wheel bearing housing
06-08-2006, 06:02 PM
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I having trouble fitting the ball joint back into the wheel bearing housing
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/37382/tierodclearancefar.jpg"></center><p>
I'm not able to push the strut towards the center of the car enough so that the joint is aligned with the strut hole. I have the stub axle in and the top strut nut fairly tight, along with the axel nut on a bit.
RE: the photo - Was I supposed to position the tie rod end in when I positioned the strut in the car? The photo shows that it can't go in now, because the tie rod is as low as it will go. On my first attempt yesterday it wouldn't fit anyway so I figured I'd do that last when I had the wheels back on the ground and the suspension loaded. Now I can't do that until I get the ball joint in.
I'm starting to wonder if the new Meyle strut bearing I put in is 1/4 taller than stock - so maybe the strut is lying lower in the car and causing fit problems.
ANy tips would be appreciated. I'm dying to get this car back on the ground and release the parking brake.
I'm not able to push the strut towards the center of the car enough so that the joint is aligned with the strut hole. I have the stub axle in and the top strut nut fairly tight, along with the axel nut on a bit.
RE: the photo - Was I supposed to position the tie rod end in when I positioned the strut in the car? The photo shows that it can't go in now, because the tie rod is as low as it will go. On my first attempt yesterday it wouldn't fit anyway so I figured I'd do that last when I had the wheels back on the ground and the suspension loaded. Now I can't do that until I get the ball joint in.
I'm starting to wonder if the new Meyle strut bearing I put in is 1/4 taller than stock - so maybe the strut is lying lower in the car and causing fit problems.
ANy tips would be appreciated. I'm dying to get this car back on the ground and release the parking brake.
06-08-2006, 06:18 PM
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Re: I having trouble fitting the ball joint back into the wheel bearing housing
Ya lost me on the ball joint,but for the tie rod, try turning the wheel all the way to the left and likewise rotate the strut the same way and you should be able to angle the end into it's hole while everything is out at it's limits.
06-08-2006, 06:41 PM
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Here Al - the ball joint almost makes it into the lower verticle hole.
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/37382/notcloseenough.jpg"></center><p>
Horizontal hole is for a seperate bolt and nut.
Horizontal hole is for a seperate bolt and nut.
06-08-2006, 07:43 PM
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Re: Here Al - the ball joint almost makes it into the lower verticle hole.
what I have seen happen sometimes is the inner joint starts to walk the axle out of it's normal placement and then the ***** hold it out. Try turning the axle as you push in to help relocate the inner joint.
If you ever had an axle out with the inner joint attached you know what I'm talking about, you can actually move the inner joint in and out on the axle about an 1" in either direction.
Good luck.
If you ever had an axle out with the inner joint attached you know what I'm talking about, you can actually move the inner joint in and out on the axle about an 1" in either direction.
Good luck.
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