23 replies to this topic

[Mok0m]

So, I'm currently preparing to move my mini to another garage but before I can do that I wish to tighten up the front suspension to avoid turning my car into a lowrider. However, the little buggers don't want to comply and every time I turn the nuts the whole thread + ball joint turn with it. I gave it a good whiff of WD-40 to no avail.

 

Here is a picture of the culprit.

 

Some help would be largely appreciated. :)

Attached Files

•  lower control arm.jpg   40.59K   106 downloads

Edited by Mok0m, 28 October 2015 - 04:54 PM.

[GraemeC]

Put a jack under the lower arm and use it to push the arm further onto the taper of the ball joint.  With some pressure applied it should stop the shaft from turning.

[Batmini]

Put a jack under the tie-rod and put a bit of 'weight' on the ball joint- ha ha beat me to it

Edited by Batmini, 28 October 2015 - 05:03 PM.

[olly33]

Have you tried putting some weight on it by lowering it onto the arm with jack or axle stand and try tightening it. If not perhaps it needs a new one,mine currently will not torque up properly.

[Mok0m]

Put a jack under the lower arm and use it to push the arm further onto the taper of the ball joint.  With some pressure applied it should stop the shaft from turning.

Would you recommend lifting it with a vertical jack?

[olly33]

Same here,ha ha.
Cannot see why not

[GraemeC]

 

Put a jack under the lower arm and use it to push the arm further onto the taper of the ball joint.  With some pressure applied it should stop the shaft from turning.

Would you recommend lifting it with a vertical jack?

 

I don't understand - what do you mean by a 'vertical' jack?

[Mok0m]

 

 

Put a jack under the lower arm and use it to push the arm further onto the taper of the ball joint.  With some pressure applied it should stop the shaft from turning.

Would you recommend lifting it with a vertical jack?

 

I don't understand - what do you mean by a 'vertical' jack?

 

http://i00.i.aliimg....raulic_jack.jpg

[Mok0m]

So I went to try this lifted to the point where the car started lifting from the jack stands, and I went to tighten, still the same problem. Am I doing something wrong?

[Blatherskite]

So I went to try this lifted to the point where the car started lifting from the jack stands, and I went to tighten, still the same problem. Am I doing something wrong?

Pull the threadd section out of the hole & clean off all the lubricant so both the pin & hole are dry. Put it back together. Put weight on the suspension so the pin is rammed into the hole & try again. You might try a few mild hammer blows on the back of the joint to further push the pin in the hole.

[olly33]

The threads not stripped is it?

[Icey]

If its still spinning with weight on it you'd be better off replacing it. That said, do give the threads a good clean out first.

[mr cooke]

put some weight on it

[gazza82]

Put a jack under the lower arm and use it to push the arm further onto the taper of the ball joint.  With some pressure applied it should stop the shaft from turning.

Would you recommend lifting it with a vertical jack?

Bottle jack ...

[Cooperman]

Jacks are usually 'vertical' as they lift things from the ground  .