How far down should i take this before tightening. Not in the FSM. Thanks in advance.

 

That's not in the FSM because the stock ball joint only goes on one way.

 

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'm not asking the question right.

See how the steering knuckle can slide up and down the ball joint? My question is at what position on the ball joint shaft should the steering be (along z axis) when I tighten it?

 

That depends entirely on where you want to set your roll center, which will also depend on how much adjustment you have for bump steer in your tie rod ends.

Set it equal on both sides and come back to it when you have the front suspension back on the car.

 

Cool time to learn about stuff!

 

There's not just like a stock position. I'm not tracking the car. Mostly weekend cruising and maybe some canyon roads.

Not that I don't wanna learn about suspension. But I have a tune on the 1st and I still have a lot of stuff to do. As of right now I have the front struts, control arms and sway bar installed

 

put a stock ball joint on it, and measure it, and then make yours in the same place.

put some miles on it, and then move it as high as it goes (ball joint away from the bolt on the spindle), and then drive it.

that will be your minimum and your maximum.

 

Ok, I'm just let both sides poke out the top about 1mm. I don't have an OEM ball joint. I'm assuming they have some sort of stop?

 

there is a spot that is a smaller diameter, and the bolt fits in that. so it only goes 1 way

 

Oh ****. Yep I get it now. Lolzers

It was getting dark and I was rushing. Thanks for the help gentlemen.

 

Honestly just buy a pair of stock ball joints and run stock tie rod ends.

You are going to have to build your own bump steer tie rod ends with that setup.

I have a similar kit in my garage, and that is why they are not on the car.

 

I haven't changed any ball joints, or tie rod ends. So for all I know these could be OEM. Not sure how to tell. I took it all apart to changes all the bushings and boots.

 

Is the picture posted what you have? If so that is not a stock ball joint.

If you have a stock ball joint your question is moot because the stock piece only goes together one way with a pinch bolt.

This is a stock s4 ball joint. That is not a stock tie rod end though.

 

I got that pic off the interwebz as a reference. This is my setup:

 

Those are stock ball joints. You have nothing to worry about. Pinch bolt interfaces with the groove in the ball joint stud.

 

Awesome.