Posted by Lars 81_528i PNW on July 01, 2001 at 13:45:00:
In Reply to: Re: Center link posted by T. Han on July 01, 2001 at 02:36:32:
The ball is on one end of a tapered shaft that fits in a tapered hole on each linkage, and has the nut/cotter pin on it. The nut/cotterpin/taper is NOT where you are looking for play. That will always be tight (hopefully). However, on the other end of that tapered shaft is a ball socketed into a round hole on the connecting link (there are a number of these in the front steering linkage). What you are attempting to do is find play (wear) between the ball and socket, in any direction. These joints should be snug in any direction you pry them. In addition, idler arm and steering box should not move up and down on the steering linkage ends.
Therefore, you are putting the pry bar anywhere you can to lever against the ball joint in a number of directions. I had a mechanic take a pry bar to the front tie rod of a six series I just bought and he actually popped the socket off the ball on one joint. THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!! He just looked at me like I was lucky to be alive.
As I said, there are a number of these joints and if they all have excessive play, it's cumulative, adding up to quite a bit of wander.
The joints should be snug, and if you can actually feel looseness or clunking, replace them. Ball joints are sealed and not adjustable.