JCOB2

How do you torque the lower ball joint nut on the rear suspension? The factory service manual simply says "torque to X ft-lb" as if there is clearance to get a socket and torque wrench over the bolt. There is no way there is enough clearance because the axle shaft interferes.

I already have the ball-joint seated, and nut is hand-tight, and not spinning on the ball-joint stud. So, I have it tight, but I am **** and like to torque everything to spec, and just don't see how a torque-wrench will fit on here.

Do I need a different style torque wrench? Or what am I missing???

ajg1915

Only way to do it would be with a crows foot open ended wrench end that has a 3/8" socket square.

thetaxman

I always gut hit it with my 1/2 air gun and an impact swivel

JCOB2

Oooh... genious! That would do it, but it will require recalling high-school TRIGONOMETRY!

Maybe someone who remember this poopie can chime in.

So, if your torque wrench is coming straight off of the crows-foot, then the torque reading should be true. But if you don't have room with the long torque wrench, and you have to insert the wrench onto the crow-foot at angle X, then the actual torque on the bolt would have to be calculated using some sin(x) or cos(x) equation that is way beyond anything I remember. I'm sure it simple, I just don't remember how to do it.

The "wrench it 'till it feels tight" approach sounds good about right now.

Now I just need to go buy a 21mm crows-foot. Don't have a set of them!

thetaxman

torque wrench