Lower Ball Joint torque?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Lower Ball Joint torque?
I am in the midst of re-assemblying my front end with new ball joints (Van Steel installed ). The service manual says that the torque for the lower ball joint should be 80 ft/lbs and to not back the nut off to align the cotter pin hole.
Problem: When I torque the castle nut to 80 ft/lbs, the nut is not on far enough to get the pin in at all.
Can the nut be over-torqued? If not, how do I get the nut on far enough to get the pin in?
Any suggestions?
P.S. The top joints and nuts went perfectly at 50 ft/lbs as prescribed.
Problem: When I torque the castle nut to 80 ft/lbs, the nut is not on far enough to get the pin in at all.
Can the nut be over-torqued? If not, how do I get the nut on far enough to get the pin in?
Any suggestions?
P.S. The top joints and nuts went perfectly at 50 ft/lbs as prescribed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
The problem is that the nut is not far enough up the nut to get the pin in or aligned. I would have to turn it several more rotations to get the nut up far enough to be able to align the nut to get the pin in. This could be well over 100 ft/lbs just to get the pin in.
This doesn't sound right, so am I missing something?
This doesn't sound right, so am I missing something?
van steel also!!!! I can't wait to drive it 
hope this helps,,,,,,,,,, bushog
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Well, the answer is.........
Although Van Steel installed the parts (which they did an excellant job and I have nothing but good things to say of Art, Sean and the rest of the crew there), I had purchased the parts from Vette Brakes and Parts. I called Robin in the Tech area of VB & P this morning and found out that about a year to 1 1/2 years ago (about the time I bought my re-build kit), they got a bad batch of castle nuts from their supplier that were too tall. Luckily, I live in the area so I shot over and he gave me two replacement nuts. I got home, took the old nuts off and replaced the new ones.
PIECE OF CAKE!!!!
I will say that all the guys at Van Steel and Vette Brakes and Parts have all been great and helpful as I stumble through this project. The quality of the parts and work has been excellant. I just had this one small problem that was immediately diagnosed by VB & P and replaced free.
AND thanks to you guys that tried to help.
Hope to have the Vette on the road this coming weekend!! 
Although Van Steel installed the parts (which they did an excellant job and I have nothing but good things to say of Art, Sean and the rest of the crew there), I had purchased the parts from Vette Brakes and Parts. I called Robin in the Tech area of VB & P this morning and found out that about a year to 1 1/2 years ago (about the time I bought my re-build kit), they got a bad batch of castle nuts from their supplier that were too tall. Luckily, I live in the area so I shot over and he gave me two replacement nuts. I got home, took the old nuts off and replaced the new ones.
PIECE OF CAKE!!!!
I will say that all the guys at Van Steel and Vette Brakes and Parts have all been great and helpful as I stumble through this project. The quality of the parts and work has been excellant. I just had this one small problem that was immediately diagnosed by VB & P and replaced free.
AND thanks to you guys that tried to help.
Hope to have the Vette on the road this coming weekend!!
