This might seem like a silly question haha but..

 

I was wondering if it looks like my lower wishbone ball joint taper looks like it's going into the hub enough? 

 

 

 

Had a bit of trouble with it lately and wondered if it should be going in the hub more? It's tight as hell but wondered if I have to undo the 3 bolts prior to tightening it up.

 

Front end just feels slack as anything, lots of parts replaced. Not ideal, want a decent handling car but I feel like i'm barking up the wrong tree :(

 

Cheers!

Have you tried rocking the roadwheel top to bottom with the car jacked up to see if there's any play at the ball joint taper? If the taper isn't located properly there will be movement there.

 

There is no particular technique to fitting them. You just make sure everything is tight and located properly.

Edited 22 January, 201412 yr by TMB

You are going to have to change that anyhow, it would fail the mot with a split dust cover like that.

You are going to have to change that anyhow, it would fail the mot with a split dust cover like that.

 

Doesn't look split to me. That's the metal part of the hub knuckle above the balljoint.

Oh dear, yes your quite right, my eyes are tired, there ps definitely something not right with that ball joint though.

Oh dear, yes your quite right, my eyes are tired, there ps definitely something not right with that ball joint though.

 

It does look as though the taper isn't far enough into the knuckle part but there should be some gap there, so it's difficult to tell. Should be a load of movement on it if it isn't, and it would knock and rattle like mad over bumps. Needs checking for sure.

Edited 22 January, 201412 yr by TMB

I jacked up the hub too and tried to tighten it more and it wouldn't go any further so maybe it is in correctly. I just thought there should be that much on show, and presumed the rubber cover would go more up against the hub knuckle. 

 

There is only 1mm of thread showing too.

It's in the correct position. 1mm of thread is what I'd expect. The nut on the ball joint should be replaced every time the ball joint is removed and that one looks like it's been used a few times.

Are you sure its correct balljoint ?

i know the late mk4 ibizas like mine use a handed balljoint specific to them 

Just checked etka there handed left and right

http://cars.febi-parts.com/vehicle.php?r_manufacturer=170

this page from febis website should help, i wonder if its had a non handed ball joint fitted of a lower spec car or a polo

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj126/vrsfab/Skoda%20Bushes/PB300035.jpg

heres a pic off google