I am replacing the lower control arm, ball joints, stabilizer bar bushings on my 1998 Blazer LT 4x4. Here is my dilemma. The pre installed ball joint stud on the control arm does not go through the steering knuckle far enough to access the hole for the cotter pin with the castle nut on it. I tried to tighten the castle nut but it would not budge. I noticed the stud from the ball joint and the hole on the steering knuckle are tapered.


Could I bore the hole on the steering knuckle with a uni bit ( step drill bit ) making the hole wider so I can access enough stud to insert cotter pin and tighten the castle nut.


Thanks for your help...

 

Are you sure you have the right ball joint? If it doesn't fit in the hole it probably isn't the right one.

 

In your other post, you were concerned you didn't have the correct part. Did you ever resolve this issue?