Cannot tighten lower ball joint nut
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,267
Likes: 6
From: Cumming Ga
Cannot tighten lower ball joint nut
Just replaced the differential on my C5. When I try to tighten the lower ball joint nut the bolt is turning and there is no room to get an alan key in the top of the bolt. How can I get this tight?
If I drive up and down the road, will it help seat the tapered bolt so I can tighten the nut?
If I drive up and down the road, will it help seat the tapered bolt so I can tighten the nut?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
"DO NOT DRIVE IT!!!!"
You can try to seat it with a jack underneath but it needs to be tight before you drive. If that means pulling other stuff out of the way to get the Allen key in then that's whats got to be done.
You can try to seat it with a jack underneath but it needs to be tight before you drive. If that means pulling other stuff out of the way to get the Allen key in then that's whats got to be done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Another idea, might be is cut off the allen wrench to where you have a straight piece about 1/2" to 5/8" Have a small box end on it to hold the straight piece in position, while you torque down the nut below. Good luck, you can do it!!
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Next time, just put the jack in place lifting under the ball-joint then just use a ratchet strap over upright and to the base of the jack to press it down onto the ball joint stud.
Peter
Peter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Eagle CO
Sorry to revive an old thread, but I just did this and wanted to add my $0.02.
I used the ratchet strap method without the jack and it worked great.
I wrapped the strap all the way around the upper and lower ball joints and tightened it up. This put enough tension on the lower ball joint to allow it to be tightened.
I used the ratchet strap method without the jack and it worked great.
I wrapped the strap all the way around the upper and lower ball joints and tightened it up. This put enough tension on the lower ball joint to allow it to be tightened.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
much easier to pull the assembly, in my opinion.
