OK, I'm swapping a number of parts into my '05 Impreza RS (tophats, struts, springs, control arms, etc.). I picked up a pair of STi control arms cheap and one ball joint was missing off of the control arm. I didn't think it would be an issue as I could just use the old ones - not true.

 

The clearance hole on the control arm is a reamed/tapered hole which requires a conical tapered sleeve that fits over the threaded shaft of the ball joint. I cannot find this part anywhere. NAPA, AutoZone, Advance, all don't have it. I won't be able to get to a Subaru OEM dealer until Tuesday, and my car is out of commission until then.

 

What the heck is this part? Can anyone tell me something about it? Here is a pic:

 

 

In this photo you can see the STi control arm ball joint with the sleeve on it (left), the one on the right is the stamped steel ball joint that goes on the RS. Can anyone tell me something about this? Is the sleeve an individual part? Or is this a different ball joint? Something? I need answers please!

have the parts stores pull the STi ball joints for you and see what it looks like?

 

or pull them up on ebay, rockauto.com or thepartsbin.com and see if they have images?

The STI control arms are aluminum aren't they? That part is separate according to the catalog on opposedforces.com.

 

20216FA000 Boss transverse link.

http://opposedforces.com/parts/impreza/us_g11/type_5/suspension_and_axle/front_suspension/illustration_1/

 

Lucky for you it lists for about $15. Unlucky for you, probably no dealer in the country will have one in stock. But there's always a chance.

You can actually remove that tapered spacer to install on your new balljoint. It's a pain to get off sometimes, you have to really work at it. I just noticed you said that one of the balljoints was missing though, so I guess this info doesn't help you. The dealer is the only place I know to get them...good luck! They def don't come with new STI balljoints.