I think I've installed my new PST upper control arm ball joint wrong. PST never sent me any instructions and repair manual is vague. Anyway, For a 70 Chevelle...I put the rubber boot on the ball joint, slipped it through the hole, place the retainer under the control arm and bolted it up with the nuts on top. I've read on this site that the boot should be placed on after the ball joint is slipped throough its hole. Did I screw up bad? Do you think I need to pull it apart again and put the boot on correctly? Do you think it will hurt anything if I leave it alone?

Let me know how bad I screwed up???? and TIA...
Lon

Lon. This means that the lip on the rubber boot is now pressed between the A-arm and the ball joint. It is not meant to go on this way. It will probably tear up your boot. I would swap it.

Rob

i would take out and re-do it lon, like rusty said you will tear up the boot. it wont last long with a tore up boot.

That's what I thought.........Thanks guys.. The boot is squeezed in there real good. I first thought it looked right...kinda like a gasket but then I kept looking at it and looking, and it just doesnt seam right. Glad I have you guys to set me straight. Time to get the old pickle fork out again and do some whacking....hope I didn'r ruin those boots.........

Lon

If you ruin the boots, they sell replacements in the "HELP!" section at the parts store. They're not exactly "correct", but they work just fine.

Just finished changing the boots around...looked like I didn't mess them up...torqued to 50 psi...and greased...... Anyway, is there suppose to be a washer to hold on the front bearing of the rotor for disc brakes? All I have is the castle nut and cotter pin..... Let me know...... TIA

Lon

there is supposed to be a washer with a "tooth" on the inside to index on the slot in the spindle- this part is VERY important, as it spreads out the torque from the nut evenly and keeps the bearing from riding against the nut and really screwing things up. if you don't have them, head to a boneyard and pick up a pair off any old GM car with a nut that's the same size.

I have this same problem, Im not sure if I missed something but if that boot and metal retainer dont go this way, which order do they go?
Thanks.

Ball joint drops into a-arm from top side. Boot then retainer go on from bottom side. Bolts hold the retainer up against bottom side of a-arm.

I believe it's "joint from the top, retainer from the bottom, bolt the joint in,THEN slip the poly boot on the joint. Finally is right, the retainer bolt against the arm. As has been said, don't sandwich the boot in between the retainer and the arm. Once the spindle goes on the joint stud, the boot will be secured on the assembly.

FYI - my upper ball joints have the boot attached to the joint with a metal ring/clamp. The poly kit I bought said remove the rubber boot and discard the metal ring, then install the joint and slip on the poly cup/boot. I chose to keep the factory boot/ring as it "sealed" the joint and retained the grease better, rather than use the poly cup.

the retainer wont seat properly when i put it over the boot. if its supposed to go on last, it isnt working right, it leaves space and wont tighten down all the way. can i just not use it? the boot looks like it will stay on fine without the metal retainer.... ????

I dont know how it sandwiched down that much, but its on properly! wow.

:) Yeah it should just pop in once you tighten it down, if it doesnt take it off and reseat it... should be fine.