Ball joint adjuster - hack?

[DirtyComanche]

To clarify, this is an early front axle, 87 most likely.  Non-integrated caliper brackets, and probably the lighest and weakest casting in that the steering arm is windowed.  I believe they changed the design of the knuckle at some point so the adjuster isn't even there, but I could be wrong.

 

Anyways, I'm changing the ball joints and the adjusters for the lower ball joints are beyond rusted in.  I cut the one side out and replaced it.  Really don't feel like doing this side.  It is set at the correct depth, and appears to be the same as the one provided with the new ball joint, tested be sliding the ball joint in and seeing how far it seats into it under light pressure.

 

Picture because you probably have no idea what I'm talking about:

Image Not Found

 

Basically it's a split bushing that is the correct taper for the balljoint.  It's threaded in to allow you to adjust where the knuckle sits relative to the axle, since the upper balljoints are a more or less floating design.  There's a fixed measurement that it's supposed to be at (about .20"~), so it's not like it's something you normally mess with it.

 

Is it hack if I leave it in there and reuse it?  There is no way I'm getting it out short of cutting it out with a die grinder, like I did on the other side.  Normally they're far less rusted and you can just bust them out with the correct crown socket.

[DirtyComanche]

Nobody said it was hack, so I just bolted it back together.

 

Interestingly enough the knuckle does not seem to be in exactly the same vertical position as the other side.  But I'm thinking it's unrelated and more to do with the fact that there's no valid way to measure it short of pulling the carrier and using an alignment bar.