1st time install. I have installed new springs (550 lb) using the Acme threaded rod, spring located 3/8 inch from upper stop. I then installed the right side front spindle assembly. My question, the upper ball joint shaft does not go all the way into the spindle assembly, is it supposed to?

I have approximately 1/4 inch between the grease boot and the top of the spindle. Ball joints torqued, upper 45lb and lower 75lb.

I used the Poly grease boots. I should have kept the stock style grease boots, they appear to be a little taller and maybe that is why I am seeing the ¼ inch gap between the boot and spindle.

In addition the rubber bumper / damper that goes on top of the shock tower and under the upper control arm (A arm) is squashed. This is a bare frame installation and no tires on the car; with the front tires on, will the A arms go up thus allowing the rubber bumper to return to normal state? Or is there something installed wrong? When I tighten the threaded rod the upper A arm goes up and does not press/squash the rubber bumper.

I tried reversing everything to take the spindle off to check the inside of the spindle for paint and replace with the stock grease boot, but now I cannot remove the spindle. I think I need a pickle fork to get the spindle off.

Do not want to start the left drivers side until I understand how to correctly install the spindle or how it is suppose to look.

Help

Thanks
Bob

 

There should not be any rubber bushing between the upper control arm and the frame.
Remove the rubber and re-torque the upper ball joint. Are the a-arms on the correct side?
They are not the same.

 

Yes, there should be - see the Assembly Manual, UPC 3, sheet A4, item #4; his photo shows it correctly.

When the car is on wheels at normal ride height, the upper control arm rebound bumper won't contact the upper control arm.

Using the poly boots is the cause of the gap; functionally, it's not an issue - if you want it cosmetically correct, use the OEM rubber boot.

 

Pickle fork will destroy the boot. I use a pitman arm puller that just barely fits... OTC 7310A for passenger car/light truck. It doesn't ruin the boot when used correctly.

 

[QUOTE=JohnZ;1571490096]Yes, there should be - see the Assembly Manual, UPC 3, sheet A4, item #4; his photo shows it correctly.



Add this part to the list of stuff no longer on my car.

 

Nice looking work, by the way!

 

Here is what I did,and it may be absolutely wrong but I did it anyway.When I installed the upper ball joint with the grease boot on the ball joint the top lip of the boot was between the the ball joint and the A arm. It looked exactly like your photo. This didn't seem correct to me, and the original wasn't like that. So I took it apart and installed the ball joint without the boot and slid the boot on the ball joint under the A arm then unto the spindle. This allowed the ball joint to lay directly on the A arm. Like I said this was probably not correct...Paul