In the middle of my front end rebuild. Had the bushings pushed in last night by the machine shop.

Question #1.
I drilled out the original upper ball joint. The new one is in 3 pieces. The ball joint, a rubber boot, and a stamped steel (retainer plate)

Does the ball joint and the retainer plate sit on either side of the control arm, or is there some other way it is supposed to go on.

Question #2
Looking through the box of parts, I have a bag with a Castle nut cotter pin, Zerk fitting and a what looks like a rubber washer that is about 1/8" thick. None of the bags are marked as which goes to what component in the kit. Where does this washer go in the assembly process.

Thanks again guys

Install the new ball joint from the same side as you removed the old one.

Assemble the joint, body - boot - retainer, then I believe the complete assembly installs from the top of the arm.

The rubber washer, if large enough, would go between the boot and the body. Otherwise, throw it in the trash can.