Eibach control arm question...problem?

[TDot]

I just opened the adjustable control arm box because I was going to do it this weekend (oh how we make promises to ourselves lol ). My issue is the right arm's "metal stub" (I have no idea what it's called) rotates around like its in a secure socket/joint, but the left one does not. This doesn't make sense to me and I do not see how to lock it in one place. The right side part number is 721302 and the left is 721303...I'm calling it a part number, I don't know if it actually is, here are pics of it rotating around.




Is the right side supposed to do this? I ordered 72130 control arms.

Thanks.

[svard75]

I never owned these but it makes sense that they put a ball joint on the top. You can move the steering knuckle bolt on the new A arms in and out correct? It's better to have a ball joint on top than fixed because when you change the mounting position it would add stress to the steering knuckle (The angle changes and if it were fixed you would add lateral stress to the bolt). The fact that one rotates and the other doesn't is concerning. Does it not move because it's seized or is one a ball joint and the other not?

[TDot]

Both have ball joints and yes it's to move the knuckle bolt inside and out to adjust the camber, but only one knuckle bolt moves all around like its on a joint. The other one isn't (doesn't seem) seized. I contacted autoanything and they are contacting eibach on Monday, I'm just hoping someone here has the answer so I can get this done this weekend if this is how it is supposed to be...and is able to explain why.

[svard75]

I would say the one that doesn't move has seized. Move the rubber boot away to see if There's rust in there. It should be filled with grease just like the steering rack knuckle. I watched a video of the arms for a Chrysler lx and it looks almost the same.

[TDot]

Ok, looks like you were right. One is just really tight, took a real good amount of muscle to move it. Now I'm wondering if its too tight, or is the other too loose? From what you are saying it seems the loose one is just right? I don't really want to remove the rubber boot because it's being held by a ring that looks like it has to be pried off and I don't want any problems putting it back on before I speak to eibach.

[svard75]

Keep rolling it around to get it loose. How loose is loose like it flops around? In there play? Think of it the same way as any other ball joint. Too much play=noise. Def connect with eibach first. That sux! I know how much it hurts not being able to install it.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

TDot I just saw your PM. What became of this?

[TDot]

I spoke to both eibach and spc and they both said that this is "normal" and they are "within tolerance". Spc said the other one should loosen up over time and it is not a matter of it is seized or not enough oil in the ball joint. They said being able to move the bolt around in ball joint is fine...duh to me...as Svard said, as long as there isn't play with the ball itself in the ball joint and it isn't flopping around. They said there are dozens of them around in the shop with different levels of mobility so me getting another one is no guarantee of how much mobility it will have. I still don't like it. Thoughts (I haven't put them on yet)?

[TDot]

I'm at the shop having my axle boot fixed and the guys there said the same thing. I'm just going to have them put on the arms and call it a day.