upper ball joint

[mini zilo]

I am trying to tighten the upper ball joints, but they just spin when I try to turn them on the threads. How do I get the nuts all the way back on without the ball joint spinning?

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I've not done this, but maybe if you jack the car down lower just enough to put some pressure on that joint, you can then thread on the nut without the ball spinning.
Just a thought.

 

[mini zilo]

I tried that, but it still just spins. I actually lowered the car COMPLETELY on the ground and tried to tighten it but it still spins ( I have enough wheel gap to stick the ratchet in). Any other ideas?

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

Are the threads damaged? If so, you can use a die to clean up the threads. Pry bars, vise grips, etc sometimes work. In extreme cases, you will replace the joint. Just make sure it's tight when you are done. Wouldn't want to lose you now.

Good Luck

 

[steve]

Joe,

Unless there is something wrong with the threads, applying pressure to push the stud into the part will provide enough friction to tighten the nut. I haven't looked at where things go but lowering the car might not actually load the stud. Try using a big c-clamp to push it in.

 

[Viper588]

i went through this as well the only thing that worked for me was for my friend to swing the arm all the way to one side till it couldnt go an further and it kinda like locked the ball and allowed us to screw it in easily....obviously the other end was not attached whether yours is attached or not im not sure but i hope this helped.