I.D. My Ball Joint Please? Options

[kenshapiro2002]

The car is a 1970 914 that was converted to 5 lug using late 80s/early90s 911 front end parts. Not sure if the A arms were changed over and whether the ball joints I need are 914 or 911 parts (think they're 914, but not sure). Can I get these ball joints out using non-impact, hand tools, or should I just pay a local Porsche wrench to do it? Also, I thought the retainer nut on the bottom of the joint was supposed to be facing the front. Mine is the opposite. Does it matter?

[jaxdream]

I believe Dr. evil was refering to the balljoint itself , as it seems to be the old split style ball joint , your 914 is a 70 model so it would stand to reason that the balljoints are original. The left side balljoint stud got buggered up by DAPO by trying to attach the strut, the right side strut may have seated over the stud better but the attatching mechanisim ( wedge pin ) couldn't be used because of the type of balljoint . Bottom line , if the hole in the right side strut is not all wollered out you can probably use it ok with the wedge pin type ( late ) balljoint , bad - left side strut bottom hole for balljnt stud is all wollered out , and will be insecure no matter what attaching pin / bolt you use. You should ( if it were me ) get a set of the later style ball joints ( 2 ) , a set of wedge pins and appropiate lock nuts ( 2 each ) and later style left strut housing that will bolt up the brake system you have ( 3.0 inch or 3.5 inch ?? you haven't mentioned the caliper bolt spacing ) and use the strut insert insert top cover , and the brake stuff, you maynot have to open the brake line depending on the way the brake line is attached to the strut housing, this will replace the bad strut , New balljoints on both sides , security that you know what the condition of this area is in when you get back on the road (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) , good luck dude , this car is giving you a 914 education , learning is good, just what you do with what you learn can be the betterment of your ride or become another DAPO , which it seems you are avoiding greatly . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

Jack / Jaxdream