Hi everyone, I am back for help from the experts once again. This time I am in the process of installing Cusco upper control arms and have a question.
the ball joint on these upper control arms almost seems as if it is too long. When I insert it into the top of the upright it comes so far through that even with the nut fully threaded on it still has vertical play. This does not seem like it could possibly be correct and or safe. Am I missing something here?
Am I supposed to pull the bushings off of my stock arms and fit them onto these?
picture for reference

 

I think your missing the cone

 

Are you using the cone or no ?

 

Is the cone this part from the stock arm?
Was that meant to be swapped over?

 

Yes this the one, re-use it if the new arms didn't include one.

 

I see! Thank you for the clarification. All the documentation included with these things is in Japanese and they didn't show that in any of the pictures so I wasn't sure.

 

This leads to my next question. Does anyone have any tips for removing them from the stock arms? These little things are on there really tight!

 

Cheap propane torch , hit the cone with heat for 5-10 seconds, it will fall off

 

Well, the balljoint started smoking and now my garage smells like burning rubber but the dang cone still will not budge!

 

I never used heat before. A good heavy hammer used like this guy does in the video is all you need. the pickle fork tool is good but it damages the ball joint boot.

Just watch where he hits with the hammer 1:36. He taps it, but when YOU do it you'll have to hit it pretty hard.

In ur first pic, see the 2 square looking things sticking out on the right and left side of the steering knukle. Thats where u hit with a small heavy mallet or small 5 lb sledge.

Its the only way I ever do it on any car, and on any ball joint.

 

Get a ball joint separator, took me a few seconds to remove the cone from the radius arm.

 

Hammer

 

Cheap harbor freight ball joint sperator worked great! Thank you!

When installing the cone onto the new arms is it okay to just put it on then tighten the nut down to seat it onto the ball joint or is there another way I should do it?

 

No need, Put the cone on the stud or in the spindle itself, Insert the arm into the spindle then tighten the nut.