Ball joint bolts removed steering out??

FASTER

Full Member
Feb 18, 2005
354
1
Nottingham
Hello people!

Just a quick one,

did a CV boot today first one on the LCR quite an adventure!:blink: wrong parts supplied no tools to do the stupid sized HEX bolt .... sorted them after half a day of searching!

Problem is after fitting every thing back together the steering is slightly off to the left (left boot done) by an inch or so, im guessing its because ive moved the 3 bolts on the ball joint.

can any one put my mind at rest this is the case and ive not done something stupid?

Also going to do the wish bones with poly bushes is it worth changing the track rod ends and ball joint pre tracking it up? (70K on the clock) or any other bits to upgrade etc... to make it handle better

Cheers!
 

Lowry020505

My cupra's a LEMON
Mar 22, 2014
227
0
Warrington,Cheshire
Have you taken anything else off other then the drive shaft??

Undoing the ball joint bolts will do nothing, as long as you put them back in properly,

Have you driven it yet? Letting it down of a jack can sometimes make the wheel look like its pointing inwards but as soon as its moved it sorts it self out
 

hyphon12

Daft Member
Jun 7, 2011
1,106
5
Scottish Borders
Moving the ball joints in even a slightly different position will effect steering geometry as its changing the camber (what the adjustable ball joints are for) which will be changing the toe, which is probably why your steering wheel is now squint.

Getting a chassis/wheel alignment is your best option.
 
Last edited:

FASTER

Full Member
Feb 18, 2005
354
1
Nottingham
Nothing else off just CV joint clean and reassemble. I'm pretty mechanically minded but can't see how undoing the lower bolts would throw it off??

Is there a way to adjust them? 3 holes and 3 bolts can't be much off surely?
 

Lowry020505

My cupra's a LEMON
Mar 22, 2014
227
0
Warrington,Cheshire
When I replaced my ball joints, I just stuck them on and away I went,, Iv had no problems with the steering, I didn't even notice that the holes are elongated,
 
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