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I tried searching the forum hoping someone already found the answer but no luck. I'm replacing upper/lower front ball joints on my '07 and have NO idea how I'm going to get the lower ball joint off. It looks like the lower spindle/hub bolt (the large torx) backed out and is now locked against the flat of the ball joint nut. Has anyone encountered this and/or what would yall recommend to get the nut off? Can I use a 6mm allen to spin the shaft of the ball joint out from the "locked" nut?
I'd remove the other 2 hub bearing bolts and move the bearing outward to remove the nut. After removing the nut, remove that bearing bolt. Reinstall the bearing and loctite the bolts and torque to spec.
That's not what he's asking. That conversation is about accessing the lower bearing bolt with the ball joint nut in the way.
He has the opposite problem. He can't turn the ball joint nut because the lower bearing bolt is in the way.
I would try using skinny Channel Locks or a Knipex Cobra or the like to screw the lower bearing bolt back in. Then torque it properly once you get the spindle off. If that doesn't work, 3X2's approach should do it.
Someone, sometime in the past changed that hub bearing and either did not loctite it and/or not torque it properly. All 3 bolts on all bearings are suspect in not being installed correctly. I'd check every one of them.
Someone, sometime in the past changed that hub bearing and either did not loctite it and/or not torque it properly. All 3 bolts on all bearings are suspect in not being installed correctly. I'd check every one of them.
Your earlier message was 100% spot on. Loosened the upper two T55's and pulled it out of the way and got the ball joint nut off. I've been in front of a computer too long and not in the field/shop. All of my problem solving skills are rusty.
As to your comment about the other bolts being suspect, I agree. While I had the spindle off I took all 3 out. Someone def didn't loctite that bolt. The other two had loctite red and this one did not have anything. They all have been cleaned up, re-loctite'ed, and torqued. Not sure if it is in my head or not but without the rotors on I think i felt more resistance on this hub than the other. Again, not sure if I'm looking at confirmation bias, but will keep an eye out for it as the track season continues. After this season I'm just going to schedule to replace both front bearings/hubs and put longer studs in them while I'm at it.
Thanks again for your quick response. Woke up and went straight to it.
Spindle Bolt Blocking Ball Joint Nut
