Jchiodi

I have been replacing a bunch of parts in suspension and am stumped. See Pics..

The nut that holds the lower ball joint is the type that separates the joint as it is loosened.. It worked perfectly to get the joint off!!

Trying to put it back together is another matter. It turns to about 3/4 of the way..

then the ball joint itself starts to turn. I tried putting pressure on the bottom with a jack, but the nut hits the stop and the ball joint doesn't get enough pressure to grip the bolt so that the nut will turn!!!! I took it off and hand screwed the nut down about 2/3 of the way with the ball joint separated and no problem.

I then let the lower control arm hang and it start to snug up. I thought I was getting it then..... the ball joint starts turning again. I know it's not cross threaded. But I now can't get it to loosen or tighten.

I dont wan to cut the *$#%#%% off. And I don't want to try to hold the bolt with a vice grips, I just don't think that would be good for it.. I've attached pics..

Any ideas??

thanks, I'm cooking a pizza, drinking a beer and going to bed..

Mrmerlin

First add a side load to the spindle then try to loosen the castle nut.

Then remove the castle nut and replace it with a non castle type nut,
jack the LCA up to seat tjhe BJ and tighten the new nut.

To separate the BJ simply loosen the new nut till it is flush with the tip of the stud then with a big prybar press the connection apart

Jchiodi

Thanks, I'll try that. I could do that maybe by c-clamp? If that doesn't work. I might try grinding or trimming off the top of that captured nut. Might give me the clearance to push that spindle up just enough to get snug.

I was getting really tired of trying to get a worklight, wrench and eyeballs in there all at the same time. Magnetic light base, just aluminum fenders, and aluminum jack to stick it too.lol...

We'll see how she goes this am..
jc

Landseer

You really don't want to grind that captured nut.

Jchiodi

I know, but I'm really at a loss as to how to get it tightened up! I will try the side load method, with pry bar or c-clamp. We'll see?

BTW, I went to three different places looking for an M12 nut with a 1.50 pitch. No luck at Autozone, Ace Hardware, or Lowes. Autozone had the bolt, no nuts....I would like to replace some of these anyway.

Landseer

The nut as you see is designed to press the ball joint out effectively on removal, so it has a significant function.

I went through same thing, including chasing fasteners at local stores in vain.

If you need to, borrow castle nut from elsewhere on car, but I'm not sure you can get the proper nut back in place after the ball joint is seated... you'll get it seated with pressure somehow, be patient,

the slide towards use of nonstandard parts never ends well, BTDT, and have decided to resist the cobble-up solutions wherever possible.

Mrmerlin

Ahh OK put the prybar between the LCA and the spindle pry out and tighten the castle nut you might need a helper if the spindle has enough of a side load it should be able to capture the BJ stud