Subaru never came out with a 2 piece ball joint hold in assembly, The pinch bolt, in the steering knuckle/hub assembly right? So when I take out the pinch bolt from the ball joint, the ear it passes through should not come apart in two pieces? I hate it when that happens, Any one know a a good source for a new/good used, left side steering knuckle/hub for a 92 legacy wagon? And would it be worth repairing, or should I just call the Kidney car line and make another donation?

So the top part is stuck in the knuckle? here is a picture of a balljoint that is not very good because I took it with my phone:

 

 

I got a used knuckle/hub/bearing in working order for $45 shipped from some junkyard in co after I did an online search. That balljoint was $28 from subarugenuineparts.com

 

Maybe this weekend I will finally get around to installing them.

Yeah, if things came apart, your best bet is probably a new hub assembly from a junkyard.

 

If the car is good otherwise, I see no reason to get rid of it for a $50/2 hour fix.

The top of the old ball joint is still in the knuckle, but the outer part of the knuckle, where the pinch bolt goes through, broke off when I took out the pinch bolt. As I was pulling out the pinch bolt, the ear that the bolt goes through came off in my hand too. so now there is no way to tighten the top of the ball joint to keep it in the car. I am starting to wish I had taken it to my local garage and then it would be their problem

well, you definitely need a new knuckle. Most any other subaru one will work fine.

Now I just have to find one cheap and hopefully get it changed out without any more problems.

 

It turned out to be a little more than Hocrest's estimate. It was more like 220 bucks for a used spindle, plus about another 60 bucks for new tools, Big socket for the end nut on the CV shart, and a breaker bar to get it off, and a new ratchet and a deep 19mm socket for some of the other bolts And a Hayes manual so I have an idea what I am doing. Since they were off, I did the front brake pads and will fix the alternator that is going south too. About 500 bucks or so total for the parts and tools and about 4 hours of working time. And only one bandaid. Now an alignment to finish it all off and I am back on the road. Wonder if the bearings in the replacment spindle will hold out, keeping my fingers crossed

It turned out to be a little more than Hocrest's estimate. It was more like 220 bucks for a used spindle, plus...

Ouch... and I thought I estimated high. I guess I'm spoiled by the local U-Pull yard where I've walked out with a spindle with the rotor/caliper and attached good 1/2 shaft for under $50

 

Glad it all worked out though.

haha speaking of ************ luck....i was just trying to replace my balljoint today...and snapped the head off the pinch bolt...anybody ever just drill the bolt out and then throw a bolt and nut through the opening?

 

 

srry to hyjack

I have heard of that being done before. Saw that a few times on my search for my problem