I'm trying to remove the upper ball joint nut on an S4 and it just spins?! Even with full weight of the car on the arms. Is there a way to keep the bolt from spinning?

I could really use some help, have the car on jack stands out in the street...

Thanks!

I can't locate that section in my WSM.

 

I've done searches as well, nothing is coming up...

 

Is there an allen key hole on the end of the stud?

 

I looked, and tried putting a small allen key in it, but it seemed like there wasn't. Is there supposed to be? I will go out and try again.
Does anyone know if there is an allen key hole in the bottom of the bolt for sure?

 

I'm trying to find that section in the WSM, but it's huge and in PDF form, which means it takes forever to look through, I'm sure you know what I mean if anyone has the manual on disc...

 

If you get the version from jim928@ptd.net (also stocked I think by Roger) the pdf is ocr'ed to text to make it indexed and searchable. On mine it looks like you want Vol XIII section 40.

 

Why are you separating the upper ball joint from the spindle?
You can just use a "ball joint separator" aka "pickle fork" but it ruins the boot and damages the ball joint.

 

Found the section in the manual, says to put pressure on it. I have all the pressure on it, still spins. Maybe putting a jack underneath it?
Anyone removed this bolt before??? S4 upper ball joint bolt.

 

928rc51 (nice bike) the bolt just spins, know what I'm saying? I can't even get it to come off. Manual says put pressure on it. I even tried turning it while the wheel was on it sitting on the ground. There has to be something I'm missing...

 

Hey Blythe, I recently replaced an upper ball-joint boot on my '79. I had the same problem with the stud spinning. I picked up a ball separator from HF for a few bucks, ITEM 99849, and used it to apply a little tension on the ball joint to keep the stud from spinning as I loosened the ball joint nut. I had to keep tightening the nut on the separator as I loosened the nut on the ball joint to keep tension on it.

As I was replacing a torn ball joint boot, I didn't care if the old boot got torn up in the process. Just so you know, you will most likely damage your boot doing it this way and will have to replace it.

 

Hmmm the manual shows a picture of a pry bar or something going through the top of the a arm, what in the world??? i will try to post that picture...

 

Oh, thanks for the tip, Raymond. The 79 uppers came off fine. I can't save the pic from the manual. I wish you could see what I'm talking about.
Ray, do you want an s spoiler for your car? I'm not using the one from mine, called Leo to see if he wanted it, but never called me back. It has a crack but is repairable. It's yours if you want it

 

If the spoiler is decent I'll pass, but I would like a couple "junk" spoilers to practice plastic welding on.

To keep the shaft from turning I pressed HARD on top of the joint, and used a LOT of Kroil.

Pretty sure this is the tool I used, and I "think" I bought a new "audi" boot from somebody, but that might be one I couldn't replace.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=99849

 

Mike this front spoiler would be perfect for you then, it needs to be plastic welded. It's free if you want it.
What's Kroil?

 

One of favorite penetrating oils, some say the best premix in a can.
http://www.kanolabs.com/google/

Put me down on a spoiler list, but behind anybody that actually needs one.

Sooner or later I will be down to SD, my wife misses the lions at the wild animal park.