front lower ball joint

[doug]

I've been putting in axles today and when it came time to tighten the lower ball joint back up, I put the joint into the lower arm and started to tighten the nut and about 3/4 of the way it tightens up and the whole joint starts to spin. It was late, so I stopped work but as it is the nut won't lock up or back off the joint spindle. This is the first time I've had this problem. Does anyone know what's up? Do I just need to hammer the lower arm up on the joint spindle to keep it from turning? Or is this a busted joint?

[OldSchoolSwap]

Lift the rubber boot up and grab the stud with a needle nose plier, the one that snaps with pressure, that type of pliers.

After the pliers are nice and tight, loosen the nut, take the joint out of the arm and with the pliers holding the stud on the joint, screw the nut back on all the way to the top. Then take the nut out and assemble the thing back on. It should work fine this time.
Make sure the nut and the threads on the joint are all clean and no little rocks are preventing from screwing.

If problem persists, again, grab the pliers, grip the stud and start screwing it in. After a few turns, take out the pliers and take a look to see if it stopped spinning. If it did, just continue assembly.

Good luck!

[OldSchoolSwap]

Oh! forgot to mention, be carful with the boot, you don't want to rip it!

[doug]

thanks for the tip, it worked well. the boots are torn alittle, I did that getting the joint off, but I've had enough fun for one weekend. I was doing a search and found a post in a newsgroup that said you can drive the ball joint out with the knuckle in the car by using a deep well socket, and then install one using a piece of wood and rubber hammer. I may try that next weekend.

[ACCORD EX]

to tighten it too ! you can use a flor jack to gently push the lower arm in place so it can lock the ball joint from turning ! ( something i lerned from a mechanic ! )

MIKE