14 replies to this topic

[Scarface]

I started started fitting adjustable suspension, did one side no problem but went to start the other & when i went to undo the nut that is attached to the ball joint bolt & thenut has cross threaded or something and wont move up or down anymore, so i cant take the nut off, the bolt just spins with the nut! any ideas how i can remove this nut, preferb;y without destroying the ball joint?

thanks

[redhotmini]

the pin is probably slipping round in the suspension arm. i normally place a jack under the arm, so it lifts the arm, so the suspension cone is forcing down on it, but the car's weight is still on the axle stands. this should make the pin more of a force fit in the arm, so it wont slip round. it works most of the time. otherwise you can use a nut splitter to split the nut in two and pick it out.

[Jammy]

As above, had to do this just last night.

Put the nut back on the lower balljoint pin, and screw it on far enough just to protect the thread. Then place a jack underneath this pin/nut and jack the whole assembly up a good few inches. As redhotmini has said, this will put force on the top arm, pushing down, clamping the pin in place, but allowing you to undo the nut.

Also, another quick tip. Leave the assembly jacked up to use the balljoint splitter. I have the claw type balljoint splitter and find the only way I can get room behind the disc is to jack the assembly up so that the top arm is pointing up slightly.

[Guess-Works.com]

however if it is cross threaded, you'll need to replace the ball joint anyway so just cut the thing off...

[Jammy]

however if it is cross threaded, you'll need to replace the ball joint anyway so just cut the thing off...

But it sounds as if the pin is just spinning.

[Ethel]

however if it is cross threaded, you'll need to replace the ball joint anyway so just cut the thing off...

But it sounds as if the pin is just spinning.

Yep, you can hardly cross thread it taking it off - the exposed threads could have been damaged though.

[Guess-Works.com]

I work on the principle, if the nut don't come off easy, then it's going to be a pain putting it back on... for the cost of a ball joint kit, I save myself the hassle...

[Scarface]

tried again the nut and bol are both phu*k*d, so gonna need a new ball joint, BUT the cars unsafe to drive, n im by myself & dont have a torque wrench or long extention bar so will hav no chance at removing the hub, So how do i go about changing the lower swivel/ball joint on the car?

[The Matt]

Hmmm, well if it were me...........


Cut through the knackered pin (hacksaw I guess) trying not to damage the bottom arm at all,
Bend back the locking washer on the BIG 1.5" nut that houses the swivel pin,
Remove the grease nipple (though you only need to do that if you're changing the lock-washer IIRC,
Swing the hub over enough to get a 1.5" socket onto the bottom ball pin,
Get thunking great bar on socket,
Undo nut (the hubs going to try and swing all over the place while you do this),
Replace bottom ball pin and shim as necessary,

BUT, it's easier with the hub off. You're going to need a big socket and bar for undoing the swivel pin, you may as well be using the same bar to undo the hub nut (remove the split pin, then pop the wheel back on and use the socket through the centre of the wheel) and so on.......

You say the thread is knackered, how knackered? Can't tighten it back up at all? Even with the jack under the bottom arm?

[Jammy]

Have you got a clamp like this:


I've put one of those on the lower arm and the top arm before, to squeeze the two together, giving me enough clamping force on the pin to stop it from rotating whilst I undo the nut.

Other than that you could try and rig some ratchet strap system up to sling around the two arms to the same effect?

Is the thread on the pin actually fubar'd or rusted? Or is it just the pin that keeps spinning??

[Scarface]

no the spring washer came out today when i was trying and the thread is totally wrecked so wont slacken or tighten anymore, so ur saying i have to find someone to give me a hand, buy a long extension bar, torque wrench and ball joint to get a nut off?

[Big_Adam]

Nut splitter might work.

[ginigwunkle]

are we talkin thread on the actual domed nut spinnin??

if you are then ul need a new hub!"!!!!!!

if its the thread on the pin coming from the inside of the domed nut then just cut off the pin remove the hub from car and bottom arms etc and whip off on a bench......