Does this knuckle appear damaged on a 2001 V70

[Pbuck508]

Hello. I am doing ball joints and having trouble getting the first side in. I am aware some aftermarket ones can be a tight fit. I might just get some Lemforders as I know they fit easier. However, I am concerned this knuckle could be damaged. It looks like it might have had suspension work done in past and maybe the knuckle was struck with a hammer? There seems to be a flat spot inside where ball joint seats instead of a perfect round area. I can’t tell if that’s normal for a tight fit on the joint or if knuckle is damaged and needs to be replaced. See pics. Thank you!

[vtl]

I'd have it replaced.

[abscate]

Get the calipers out and measure the diameter across the receiver.

Then measure the ball joint to see if you have hope to install

[Vova585]

Ideally I would replace with used one. If you need the car back on a road asap, I would look at the ball joint that came out of that knuckle. Is it oem or lemforder? How long it lasted there? If you ok to risk a little, you can always buy lemforder and use gas pipe nipple with cap of proper diameter as instalation tool(if needed can measure one in a tool box) and install it. Periodically check the condition of it and in a mean time obtain good used one and a new brake shields, so next time you will need replacing wheel bearing(let's be honest here every 60k or even faster) you can have a new unit ready to be installed.

[cn90]

In a pinch, use a bolt and nut (correct length) to push out the flat spot. Hopefully this works.

[cn90]

Or use a Dremel to smooth out that flat spot.

[abscate]

It looks like someone bashed in the ball joint receiver as part of the R/R. You could take a Dremel and take a chamfer on the edge to see if the ball joint will start, then press it in. Any cracks are well away from the meaty part of the housing holding the ball joint in, so I would not sweat that.

[jonesg]

beat it to fit, paint it to match.