Balljoint shim

[warbstrd]

First kudos to petros and archinsl for right ups and youtube video on head gasket replacement and front crank seal (timing belt). No more oil leaks.
Of course i had to do the timing belt twice - too many bloody marrys - put the old one back in and didnt realize it till next day. Lol

Now, i replace ball joints and the shaft of one would not stop at the taper.
The hole is woddled out somewhat. Is there a shim or something i can use to tighten the castle nut. Right now the castle nut is no where near the cotter pin and the stearing wheel has a bad vibration.
If no shim what should i do?

[dlb]

the problem is probably not the hole in the control arm. if you had enough play for a ball joint to ream out that hole, you would have noticed it a long time ago with loud clunking and wonky steering, and you would need to replace the control arm and ball joint.

the more likely (and much easier to solve) problem is that the threads on the ball joint shaft and nut are rough and grabbing prematurely, causing the shaft to spin before the nut is snugged down on the control arm. i have run into this many times. best thing to do is chase the threads on the nut and shaft with a tap and die. grip the base of the shaft with vice grips while doing this. i like to remove the ball joint to do this but it can also be done while installed.

good luck.

[xirdneh]

I have used a washer when but goes down too far