I just got a pair of ball joints from Spohn. I pulled the passengers side one and installed the new Spohn ball joint. After a battle to get it in with the installation tool, it finally is set. I pressed the boot on and then slipped the steering knuckle on. Then I torqued the nut provided by Spohn down to their recommended torque rating, 55-65 ft-lbs (I think that's what it is, can't remember off hand, but I had the directions in hand when I did it). Here's where the problem comes in. The nut now is below the hole for the pin to slide through.

In other words, when I tighten the nut down, it goes way below the hole for the pin, in essence making the pin useless since it doesn't even go through the slots in the nut.

This is a problem right?

 

No if the nut backs off the pin will still keep it from coming off . Put the pin in and as long as your not to tight it should be fine .

 

get a grade 8 washer and put it under the castle nut the retorque the nut and insert the pin threw the nut the right way.
some ball joints come with a shim to do this but its noting more then a grade 8 washer

 

Thanks 50bmgshooter I forgot to tell him about the shims .

 

So when ordering BJ's from Spohn, we need to let him know to add shims? I'll be ordering their rebuild kit this year and want to make sure I get everything correctly. Thanks.

 

ball joints fit different makes and models some times it all depends on the brand
also depends on the condition of your spindles and lower control arms some times you need the sometimes you dont
I redid the entire suspension on my car and the left side needed a shim but the right side didnt need one and i used all moog parts