Installing The Knuckle

[Polygon]

Is there any trick to this? I can't get this damn thing on the ball joint. I've tried pounding it with a hammer and prying at it with a big flat head and I can't get it to go on the ball joint.

[turbovanman²]

What's your setup?

[Polygon]

It's a stock 89' T2 GTC front. The ball joint is a new Falcon unit from FWD performance. I can get it started but I can't get it to go all the way on.

[turbovanman²]

Could be a bad ball joint. Are you replacing one or both? if you have another one loose, try it and see if it will slide in all the way.

[iTurbo]

Axle splines not fully engaged or inserted into differential? I had this problem once when replacing a driveshaft and the parts store replacement turned out to be a little too long.

[Polygon]

Could be a bad ball joint. Are you replacing one or both? if you have another one loose, try it and see if it will slide in all the way.

Both ball joints have been replaced and are already pressed into the control arms. Both knuckles have the same issue on both ball joints. I can get them started but I can't get them to go the rest of the way on.

Axle splines not fully engaged or inserted into differential? I had this problem once when replacing a driveshaft and the parts store replacement turned out to be a little too long.

Axles aren't in yet.

[iTurbo]

Is the knuckle already bolted to the strut housing? Maybe try freeing it from the strut so you aren't fighting that while trying to get the ball joint in.

[Polygon]

Is the knuckle already bolted to the strut housing? Maybe try freeing it from the strut so you aren't fighting that while trying to get the ball joint in.

Nope, the control arm is loose and nothing is attached to the knuckle. I am trying to get it attached to the control arm first. Figured that was the easiest way.

[iTurbo]

Odd. I would get the part # and call FWDP to verify they are the right app.

[DodgeZ]

unhook the sway bar

[Polygon]

unhook the sway bar

Sway bar isn't in either.

[Polygon]

Odd. I would get the part # and call FWDP to verify they are the right app.

Just checked the part numbers with the manufacture and they're correct for my car.

[bakes]

Can you put a floor jack under the ball joint and help it up in?

[turbovanman²]

They could be boxed wrong or manufactering mistake. Make it so the knuckle is loose, off the strut and try, if that doesn't work, then the ball joints are no good.

Do you have the old ball joints?

[Polygon]

I don't have the old ones. It seems odd that both would be mis-packaged or defective. Here's some pics...

[iTurbo]

Looks like it's either the wrong ball joint or there is a nick or burr hanging it up or possibly overspray?

[OmniLuvr]

too much paint? spindles look good, but there is a lot of paint on them

[DodgeZ]

Looks like it's either the wrong ball joint or there is a nick or burr hanging it up or possibly overspray?

yeah

have you used a screwdriver to try to open it up any?

["Top Fuel" Bender]

as stated above, I'd check for burrs and such
use a big screwdriver or chisel to spread the slot in the knuckle a little

also you should really get that dust boot on first

[Polygon]

I'm going out to give it another try and use something more substantial than a screw driver to pry with.

as stated above, I'd check for burrs and such
use a big screwdriver or chisel to spread the slot in the knuckle a little

also you should really get that dust boot on first

What do you mean get the dust boot on? Don't you see it in the pic? There's no way to clamp it down if that's what you mean.