My Ball joint is too loose on new spindle What size ball joint do I need? Help!!

[mtnbob]

I bought a used spindle for my 86 Golf, everything looked great but the ball joint on my car is too loose to tighten down on the spindle. Found out when I went to test drive it. Does anyone know what size ball joint I need? I think the ones on the older 88-92's  have a bigger ball joint but not sure. Any assistance would be appreciated. My car is literally blocking the driveway

[theman53]

There is a 17mm and 19mm ball joint you need the bigger one. Should be off a later model like you said or IIRC any 16v. I did the exact same thing only found out letting it down. You will probably need to spread that pinch again as I had to. The 19mm has never wanted to go back in there now.

[mtnbob]

Great. First thank you for the response. Any suggestions on spreading out the hole that by now is way too small.

[R.O.R-2.0]

I bought a used spindle for my 86 Golf, everything looked great but the ball joint on my car is too loose to tighten down on the spindle. Found out when I went to test drive it. Does anyone know what size ball joint I need? I think the ones on the older 88-92's  have a bigger ball joint but not sure. Any assistance would be appreciated. My car is literally blocking the driveway

89-newer mk2 cars use the bigger 19mm ball joints..

the 88-older cars use 17mm ball joints like the later mk1 cars..

you need the appropriate ball joints for the knuckle.. you cant put a 17mm BJ in a 19mm knuckle, or vice versa..

its kinda apparent that the 17mm ball joint is the wrong size when trying to use it in a 19mm knuckle..

i have a 17mm knuckle off an 85 GTI that i would part with, if you want to go that route.

[mtnbob]

Thank you for the offer. I wish I knew you had one a few weeks ago. I can get a 19mm ball joint locally so I'll go that route. Any suggestions on opening up the hole that I have now clamped down too tightly. I also tore my shaft out of the cv joint. I'm hoping I can press it back it, but not sure.

[theman53]

I used a pry bar and hammer to get it spread. Still when putting it back in it fights me. It goes but only straight in.

[CRSMP5]

started in 88... not 89... by 89 they all had them...

[mtnbob]

I ordered a lower ball joint for a 1990 Golf, should be the right one. Now I just have to force the opening back wide enough to fit the larger ball joint.

[rabbitman]

Don't feel too bad, I did the same thing, pulled my inner cv apart and dented the fender.........it's kinda hard to tell it's the wrong size ball joint when you're doing it in the dark and going mostly by feel. I did wonder how I got it together so fast though.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Don't feel too bad, I did the same thing, pulled my inner cv apart and dented the fender.........it's kinda hard to tell it's the wrong size ball joint when you're doing it in the dark and going mostly by feel. I did wonder how I got it together so fast though.

its noticeable to me.. i tried doing it once, and i could tell right away that something was not right.. i didnt even try and tighten it down. once i could pull the knuckle back and forth with it on the ball joint, i knew it was wrong.. so i went and pulled the BJs off my 92, and measured them, sure enough, 2mm bigger..

[CRSMP5]

my 1st experiance was on a cali 90 gli 8v coupe.. in cali they did not have 2.0 16v in 90 as too dirty for epa there.. i too put in ball joint.. got it all together.. set on ground and bam... im like wtf... how i learned in 88 they switched it up... ALONG with the wheel bearing.. yes that part and hub are now different too.. this was 93ish btw..

my experiance.. the 88+ ball joint and wheel bearings fail a much sooner death then the 87 and older do.. they may be bigger.. but their life is 1/2...

so just rember when you need a wheel bearing or anything for that knuckle.. order 90 parts..

[mtnbob]

I had to go out tonight and order the cv axle. When the ball joint popped out it ripped the cv axle apart too. I thought I could rubber hammer them back together, but no way, at least not while on the car. This has been a cluster$%# this weekend.   Maybe it will be all better tomorrow after I get the new axle on, but we will see.

[rabbitman]

It is possible to put the joint together but it requires taking it apart the rest of the way, putting on a new boot (I assume your's ripped) and then you can tap it together once you have everything back in place.

[shwak23]

Yes it's actually quite simple to rebuild those joints. The Bentley details it well.

Sent from my DROID X2

[mtnbob]

The boot is surprisingly still good I will have to check it out when it is off of the car. I guess I will have an extra Pass side cv axle if I ever need one