I Need Help...Upper Ball Joint

[Bigger_Is_Better]

OK, I've done everything according to the different write-ups I've read on here, and everything has gone smoothly. Till now.

I first replaced the upper ball joint with a crap Oreilly one. I noticed when I torqued it down to 80lbs that the castle nut was way below the cotter pin hole. I figured it was from crap quality parts as I wasn't impressed with the rest of the joint either. Five miles later it was puking grease. So, I replaced it with a factory Toyota today.

The problem is the Toyota's castle nut is also well below the cotter pin hole, and it's not even at 80lbs yet. Was the Oreilly one so out of spec it messed up my hole size in the A-Arm? That's about the only thing I can think of....If anyone has any ideas I'd really appreciate them!

I guess I should add, I did the other side with OEM from the start and it's perfect.

Factory replacement UBJ as it sits now, not yet to 80lbs.

 

[weekendclimber]

Man that's got to be frustrating tearing it apart twice now. I would get some calipers and see if maybe the UCA has been somehow deformed. That would be crazy, but the only thing I could think of. op2:

 

[AZTOY]

OK, I've done everything according to the different write-ups I've read on here, and everything has gone smoothly. Till now.

I first replaced the upper ball joint with a crap Oreilly one. I noticed when I torqued it down to 80lbs that the castle nut was way below the cotter pin hole. I figured it was from crap quality parts as I wasn't impressed with the rest of the joint either. Five miles later it was puking grease. So, I replaced it with a factory Toyota today.

The problem is the Toyota's castle nut is also well below the cotter pin hole, and it's not even at 80lbs yet. Was the Oreilly one so out of spec it messed up my hole size in the A-Arm? That's about the only thing I can think of....If anyone has any ideas I'd really appreciate them!

I guess I should add, I did the other side with OEM from the start and it's perfect.

Factory replacement UBJ as it sits now, not yet to 80lbs.

Doesn't look too far off. You could put an appropriately sized washer or two under nut. Here is a pic of mine.

 

[TheFatGuy]

why dont you place a washer between the UCA and the cotter nut?

 

[Bigger_Is_Better]

I could put a washer in there, but my main concern is if it is squashing the A-Arm into the ball joint too tight. I don't want to destroy it. Getting the washer to help raise the nut would be an easy fix on that side of the joint.

OK, went ahead and torqued it down to 80, I don't guess it's too close on the joint.

Here it is:

 

[4RunnerLifer]

The nuts are different, not saying that is your problem but that's what I'm seeing from here.

 

[csp]

Adding a washer or two under the nut isn't going to change a thing in regards to the torque or the engagement of the balljoint with the a-arm.

 

[Bigger_Is_Better]

Adding a washer or two under the nut isn't going to change a thing in regards to the torque or the engagement of the balljoint with the a-arm.

Exactly, it's the engagement I'm kind of wary of.

 

[csp]

Take it apart and compare the taper with the one you removed.