ball joint problems

[whatle]

Has anyone had the ball joint come out of the spindle while the pinch bolt is still in place? Made for quite the interesting that's for sure!

[georgeb]

It happens when the pinch bolt is not lined up with the groove and is just pounded in.

[Movin]

Or dirt not cleaned out of the pinch, so that tight is not really tight and
the ball joint stud will saw its way through the side of the bolt until
it finds freedom!!!

[whatle]

I haven't had much time to look at it since the cops towed it away..... Might have to get that cheap set of lca s off Ebay I guess

[Movin]

Tell the cops you have a tow coming and make sure you do.
Its about $300 difference here. I have never been towed in
but keep 2 buddies on speed dial just in case. :eeeeeek:

[freshtiva]

I haven't had much time to look at it since the cops towed it away..... Might have to get that cheap set of lca s off Ebay I guess

careful now, you might regret that

[whatle]

its gotta b better than waiting several weeks and payin like 250 for one lca from the parts stores here

[FestYboy]

i haven't had issue with the stuff on ebay out of FL (yet). and if it lasts a year, it's STILL cheaper to replace with another set than going to the parts store. make sure your pinch bolt is grade 8 (metric 10.8 ) or greater.

[whatle]

now i gotta figure out how to get it movable so i dont get charged a daily fee.... ugh

[91mcnasty]

Pop it back in and it will be moveable. Not drivable but moveable.

[georgeb]

LCA is probably okay. Try to get bolt out and inspect.

[freshtiva]

its gotta b better than waiting several weeks and payin like 250 for one lca from the parts stores here

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MOO0/K9477.oap?year=1993&make=Ford&model=Festiva&vi=1128259&ck=Search_control+arm+%26+components_1128259_1948&keyword=control+arm+%26+components

i haven't had issue with the stuff on ebay out of FL (yet). and if it lasts a year,

A year is about right.

[whatle]

the ball joint was a little loose before so im gonna wanna replace it regardless but i have to wait till tomorrow since i was 15 minutes late... they love keeping your car and charging you up the #%^!

[whatle]

i forgot to mention its an aspire so the lca is $100 higher than the festiva and if the cheapo ebay ones last a year i'll replace them when it comes down to it everytime... i have access to an alignment rack at work so that wont be a problem

[scitzz]

I had to remove one once, that required spreading the pinch a little bit. I didn't QUITE get it tightened down enough, and it popped out. Put it back in, and REALLY tightened down. It lasted a couple more years until replacement time...

Someone else pointed out that the bolt can grind down, and it can. Bring another bolt for just i case,or, to get it out of the yard, spin the bolt around to have a good side facing the ball joint.