Ball joint installation question with AFX package

[jdpolzin]

I was in the garage looking at the parts I have for my GN and started thinking, maybe too much. The upper ball joints (MOOG K5208) bolt in the upper control arm. the instructions from MOOg say the drop the BJ into the top and then put the metal retainer and rubber bushings over the BJ on the bottom side of the arm and bolt together. Well, I look at pictures of other peoples SPC upper arms, trying to figure out which arm goes to which side, and some of the people mounted the BJ onto the bottom side of the arm, some of them bolted them on like the instructions say. The question I have, with the ATS spinldes, should I mount them to the bottom side or slip it throught the top side and mount it there? Bolting it to the bottom would almost act like a 1/2 taller BJ. Another thing with this metal retainer, do you put the rubber boot through this and this is what holds it on? Seems to me like it would slip out pretty easy? thanks! -------Jeremy

[megaladon6]

i believe that the AFX spindles have a hardened steel ring where the castle nut goes and should have a taper in the mounting area for the stud.
i think the boot goes on before the retainer, this way it's sealed.

[MrQuick]

Its more a safety thing. If the bolts were to shear the ball joint would not become separated from the arm.

Also a taller ball joint would be unnecassary with a tall ATS spindle.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38153

[jdpolzin]

OK, well thats what I thought. I just seen a few pics where people ounted them on the bottom side. Thought that was pretty odd but i definately understand the saftey aspect of it! Thank you sir! ----Jeremy

[MrQuick]

no problem....sir, holy cow my dads here? LOL Vince will do bud.:cheers:

[wendell]

Shearing the upper ball joint mounting bolts isn't a rational fear. The forces just aren't there for something like that to happen.

[Rick Dorion]

If they're bolted from the bottom you can easily separate the UCA if need be without having to mess with the BJ/spindle.

[bochnak]

I just installed SPC uppers, and mounted the BJ under the mounting plate. Everything else in my setup (spindles, BJ's) is stock, and I wanted a bit more suspension droop.

Initially, I spaced the BJ down with three 1/4" plates, until I discovered interference with my 14" wheels.

[jdpolzin]

Yeah from what I have read, I need to mount the BJ from the top side so I dont throw off the geometery using the ATS spindles. Otherwise, there are some good points about not having to mess with breaking the BJ off the spindle!