Mustang II ball joint question

Trying to button up my 51 GMC and need to tighten the ball joints. The nuts are threaded down past the hole for the cotter pin. Also, the rubber dust shields are all jacked up. The nuts aren't even tight in the pics. What's the deal?

 

I've run into the same situation on my Mustang II in my model A.
What is the deal here?????????

 

Common issue when using the Volare' ball joint.

Take the spacer out from under the top nut and put it under the spacer on the bottom.

Don't worry about the boots, they fill out when you grease the ball joint.

 

Thanks, I got some taller spacers and problem solved!