Ball joint castle nuts
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Ball joint castle nuts
Im putting back together my front end after installing the lowering kit and my castle nuts wont turn when putting them back on. The bolt that it screws onto it is spinning. I don't see anything to prevent these bolts to stop spinning so I can put the castle nuts on both the tie rod ends and lower ball joints. Any tips ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 2,281
From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by 87vette
Im putting back together my front end after installing the lowering kit and my castle nuts wont turn when putting them back on. The bolt that it screws onto it is spinning. I don't see anything to prevent these bolts to stop spinning so I can put the castle nuts on both the tie rod ends and lower ball joints. Any tips ?
If the threads are fine:
1. Clean the tapered bore in the knuckle to remove any oil/grease.
2. Clean the tapered stud to remove any oil/grease.
3. Apply some pressure to the joint to seat its tapered stud against the tapered seat in the knuckle. Simple hand pressure may be sufficient -- if not, try a bit of gentle pressure with a C-Clamp, large Channel-Locks, etc. The goal is to develop more friction between the tapered stud and the tapered bore in the knuckle than exists between the threads of the nut and stud. Once the nut starts to pull the stud into the bore, you'll have no further problem with the stud spinning.
Be well,
SJW
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
Are the ball joints and tie rod ends the same parts that
were in place before dissassembly?
.
were in place before dissassembly?
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 2,281
From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by 87vette
Yes. The threads are fine. I just don't understand why the studs are spinning thats preventing me from tightening the castle nuts. I got the drivers side tie rod castle nut on and in place and the passenger side ball joint nut on and in place. The other two just won't cooperate.
Be well,
SJW
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by SJW
Apply some squeeze to them to seat the studs in the bores of the knuckles, and you should be just fine. It's not at all uncommon.
Be well,
SJW
Be well,
SJW
ahh well just my luck. Tmw is another day and I'll finally see if the vette is lowered!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
He means to push it againsts the knuckle while you turn the castle nut. That helps to keep it from spinning on you as the castle nut is being tightened, because the hole is tapered. I had to do that myself. I had the same problem with threading in the new grease fittings on the lower ball joints. It kept spinning on me before the fitting sat flush.
Last edited by 86PACER; May 1, 2006 at 07:59 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by 87vette
What do you mean by applying some squeeze? I'm not sure I follow.
RACE ON!!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Tucson, AZ. L98-85 AUTO COUPE: 120k MILES: daily driver. SOUND OFF IF YOU'VE BEEN THERE. Ex-Jumpin' Junky-82nd Airborne-2/505 PIR: 1st ID-1/16th Inf: Recon Marine Retread. GOD BLESS GRUNTS.
hit the bottom with rubber mallet, or use a 2X4 and tap it in slightly.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ. L98-85 AUTO COUPE: 120k MILES: daily driver. SOUND OFF IF YOU'VE BEEN THERE. Ex-Jumpin' Junky-82nd Airborne-2/505 PIR: 1st ID-1/16th Inf: Recon Marine Retread. GOD BLESS GRUNTS.
hit the bottom with rubber mallet, or use a 2X4 and tap it in slightly with a hammer.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by 86PACER
He means to push it againsts the knuckle while you turn the castle nut. That helps to keep it from spinning on you as the castle nut is being tightened, because the hole is tapered. I had to do that myself. I had the same problem with threading in the new grease fittings on the lower ball joints. It kept spinning on me before the fitting sat flush.
I jacked it from underneath on one side which seemed to help but the other side is stubborn!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Originally Posted by parafrog
hit the bottom with rubber mallet, or use a 2X4 and tap it in slightly.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
If you're using quality ball joints, you'll notice that the top of the stud will accept an allen wrench. Insert the allen wrench into the stud while tightening the nut with an open end wrench. Torque to spec by using a "crow's foot" on your torque wrench.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
And if that still does not work, find a safe way to clap the pintle directly with the c-clamp and thread the bolt down to the bottom thread. The remove the clamp and the bolt should not go on easy from now on.