Ball Joint Advice 3R '03

[mlarj]

After fitting my new front spindles I lowered the car and checked the ball joints...both tops are knackered.

I have managed to source new balls joints and was also advised new blocks might be required so I have also got those - As advised the first ball joint has been removed and is completely stuck in the block.

First question, is there a washer/spacer that goes between the block and the ball joint? Obviously I haven't managed to remove the old unit so I can't check but it certainly looks like there is something on the old unit.

Second question, how should they be tightened? is it just a case of tapping them around until they are tight?

And finally, the block I have removed (same both sides) has counter-bored holes but it looks as though the longer bolts were used but washers were placed under the heads to keep them at surface level. This looks like a bodge to me and someone has previously replaced the blocks and didn't have the correct shorter bolts! The washers has actually gone concave when the bolts have been tightened...surely this isn't the norm? If it isn't I've been very lucky nothing has broken/cracked!!!

Regards,

Mat

[GTO600]

Mat, assume you have the newer type ball joints which are from a peugeot you can get a special socket to undo them however not always possible, no washer used & either tighten with the proper socket or by tapping tight using the cutouts.
The original alloy blocks used a longer bolt which was tightened against the face where as the newest type the bolt heads are recessed so the bolts should indeed be shorter & not bodged like yours.

Edited by GTO600 on Monday 26th August 22:15

[mlarj]

Luckily I bought the correct size bolts when I bought the new blocks - I assumed the bolts fitted were the longer ones because they were surface mounted, not bodged with washers! Very scary stuff when you think about how the blocks could have split/cracked.

I am away for a couple of days so can't fit the new units immediately, thanks for the additional information about the units being Peugeot, I have now ordered the correct tool to refit them.

Regards,

Mat