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Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue...
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 05:45 AM
So, I have brand new MOOG LCA ball joints I was in the process of installing on my Dart with 73+ disc brake spindles. Now I'm having a couple issues... First off, the nut that ties the ball joint to the LCA spindle is a PIA to get to and I'm only able to "tighten" the nut 1/8 to 1/4 turn at a time. My second issue is that the threaded member (or bolt) is spinning within the ball joint. Am I supposed to have a wrench somewhere to stop the threaded portion from spinning or do I have a faulty part?
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:05 AM
Picture of said nut... The whole nut and bolt just spin as one piece.
Posted By: DAYCLONA
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:06 AM
You didn't grease the ball joint before assy did you?
In any case, just give the lower control arm a rap with a hammer to force it down slightly to wedge the taper, put a few washers under the nut, eventually eliminating them as you tighten the nut several times and removing a few washers each time untill the taper establishes a tight enough fit for you to fully draw it into the LCA ball joint tapered bore
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:09 AM
It looks to me like the nut is cross threaded. You should be able to run that nut down by hand a lot further then that.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:09 AM
Quote:
You didn't grease the ball joint before assy did you?
I did not... Should I have done that? Or did I screw it up?
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:12 AM
When you get the nut on straight you can smack the A arm down onto the stud a little and that should help.
Posted By: 340duster340
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:12 AM
Quote:
It looks to me like the nut is cross threaded. You should be able to run that nut down by hand a lot further then that.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:12 AM
Quote:
It looks to me like the nut is cross threaded. You should be able to run that nut down by hand a lot further then that.
I can't tighten it or loosen it by hand...
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:13 AM
Like I said it looks cross threaded. Drive the A arm down on the stud and try to take the nut back off.
Posted By: DAYCLONA
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:16 AM
Quote:
Quote:
You didn't grease the ball joint before assy did you?
I did not... Should I have done that? Or did I screw it up?
Just checking as some individuals "pre grease" the ball joint before install thinking they're ahead of the gane, only causing it to spin while tightening...
Posted By: JDMopar
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:20 AM
I usually leave the upper ball joint loose until I get the lower one tight. You have to push it up in the lower control arm to get the taper to bite a little so the ball joint stud doesn't spin. If you leave the top loose, you can tilt the spindle enough to get a socket on it instead of a wrench. You'll get it.
None of us knew how to do it the first time. At least you're trying and learning.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:25 AM
I'll try it out right now, if not tomorrow. And I was expecting having the entire suspension done and torqued today. I love how this crap always happens to me.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:35 AM
So let me get this straight, you guys want me to remove the UCA ball joint from the spindle so that I can realign the LCA ball joint so the taper "bites" and I can remove the nut?
Posted By: RUNCHARGER
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:42 AM
You can try clamping the taper into the lca to stop it from spinning or sometimes put side pressure on it (or a combo). I would spin the nut off and inspect the stud and nut threads before doing anything else though, they are damaged and it doesn't take much to cause a problem.
Sheldon
Posted By: rowin4
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:51 AM
I think if you loosen, not take off the ball joint from the spindle it would give you enough room to get a socket on the ball joint stud nut. You have pressure from the jack pushing the stud in. As stated above, the nut should turn on easily by hand, if not you either cross threaded the nut or the threads are jammed up so the nut will not thread on. Take the nut off, take a look and proceed to reassemble correctly .
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 07:15 AM
So, with the T-bars installed, I jacked up the LCA balljoint and it seated itself in. I was then able to back off the nut with a wrench. However, I don't think the nut is the issue. The threads look good or at least better than the ball joint's.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 07:16 AM
It seems like the threads are flattened where the holes are for the cotter pins (hard to see in the picture). I'll ask my friend if he can bring a die next weekend.
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 07:32 AM
Quote:
It seems like the threads are flattened where the holes are for the cotter pins (hard to see in the picture). I'll ask my friend if he can bring a die next weekend.
How about getting a small brush (old toothbrush) and clean the dirt out of the threads.
Gotta be careful not to knick the threads while installing ball joints though the taper hole.
Posted By: Jim_Lusk
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 07:39 AM
Either the picture is weird or the stud is bad. Look and make sure the threads are straight (I don't think they are). What brand are the joints?
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 08:02 AM
Quote:
Either the picture is weird or the stud is bad. Look and make sure the threads are straight (I don't think they are). What brand are the joints?
These are MOOG ball joints. The picture may be a little weird as it was taken in a poorly lit garage (I only have 2-4 lightbulbs on) and a camera phone with flash. But to the right of the stud, it looks weird due to the hole for the cotter pin. From my visual inspection about an hour or so ago, the threads looked like they were flattened around the area of the cotter pin.
Posted By: mopwrd340
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 08:43 AM
It looks like the top of the stud is bent like someone hit it with a hammer.
Posted By: Jim_Lusk
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 08:44 AM
They can be flattened for two reasons. One because they are shorter (that's ok in that area). The other is that they are crushed (not ok). Clean the threads and try again...
Posted By: GeorgeH
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 01:02 PM
I agree with the above statements, the threads as they near the cotter pin hole don't look proper. Also looks like the top has been worked with a file or smacked pretty hard. Take the 2 bolts for the spindle out and drop the ball joint back out to look at it. If it's been hit hard likely to deform because of the cotter pin hole. Also , your stuff dirty for reassembly, or are those filings?. A squirt from a can of brake clean will clean things up. A lower ball joint is not something to take a chance on. If it's questionable at all,get another one. As said the nut should thread all the way down by hand.How ypou going to hold it to run a die down it? Do not score up the tapered seat.
Posted By: ruderunner
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 03:06 PM
Yep it's mushroomed on the end. Need a new ball joint. Since it's not a self locking nut you should be able to spin it all the way down with your fingers, then torque to spec and install the cotter pin.
Posted By: 67_Satellite
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 03:15 PM
A thread file or die will save that part. The thread damage isn"t that bad but must be adressed.
Posted By: 340duster340
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 04:08 PM
as mentioned above, i would just replace the part. well worth the $30 for the peace of mind, and lesson learned.
in time you will learn the "touch"
Posted By: Shoozy
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 05:14 PM
Quote:
None of us knew how to do it the first time. At least you're trying and learning.
This. JD nailed it.
Posted By: goldduster318
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 05:41 PM
Quote:
It seems like the threads are flattened where the holes are for the cotter pins (hard to see in the picture). I'll ask my friend if he can bring a die next weekend.
There's a Harbor Freight tools where you live. Pick up an SAE tap and die set (they are usually like $35). You'll use it a zillion times anyway. Then you can get more work done. You'll probably want to take the joint off the arm (hit what it goes through method, or a puller) to chase the threads. Everything will be fine.
Posted By: skicker
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:12 PM
Muu Muu
1) Disassemble what you have done till the spindle can be moved to the workbench.
2) See if a file will clean up the threads so that you can spin the nut either by hand or with a small amount of resistance. If not replace the LBJ.
3) After you have it working or have replaced the LBJ, install the LBJ through the LCA. Make sure the slot for the cotter pin is facing front to back.
4) Put a small floor jack under the spindle so the taper is seated in the LCA and tighten it down and install the cotter pin. Access with a wrench and a rachet will be 10x better.
5) Install the UCA down over the spindle. Again, make sure the cotter pin slot goes front to rear and tighten.
Aligning the cotter pin slots seems like extra work but if you ever have to fool with it again you'll be glad you did it.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:23 PM
Lovely, exactly what I wanted to do, take apart half the entire front suspension just to fix a new part. I'll buy a tap and die set next weekend and work on it. Is there an "easy" way to unseat the LCA and UCA ball joints from the spindle without using a pickle fork? And for the record, I did not hammer or file these ball joints.
Posted By: RUNCHARGER
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:40 PM
The stud is bent, You can try chasing the threads but you risk cutting material from the threads on a key suspension part.
I would just purchase a new balljoint, why compromise something so important. It's 10 minutes extra work to change it out, but now is the time to do it.
Just put a centre punch in the middle of the top of the stud and give it a light tap with even a carpenters hammer, it will loosen it.
Sheldon
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 06:56 PM
Quote:
The stud is bent, You can try chasing the threads but you risk cutting material from the threads on a key suspension part.
I would just purchase a new balljoint, why compromise something so important. It's 10 minutes extra work to change it out, but now is the time to do it.
Just put a centre punch in the middle of the top of the stud and give it a light tap with even a carpenters hammer, it will loosen it.
Sheldon
I can't see how you could for sure say it's bent from those pictures. I see a thread second from the top on the left side that looks a little dinged. He might be able to work the nut back and forth by hand to straighten that.
BTW the threads near the cotter pin are commonly chamfered in a little. No big deal. And because he took the picture pure perpendicular to the cotter pin centerline, it looks like it's necked in there.
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 07:14 PM
I takes a lot to bend a ball joint stud and that one doesn't look bent. But the threads need fixing to where you can run the nut down by hand and then tighten it with a wrench.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 07:18 PM
Quote:
I takes a lot to bend a ball joint stud and that one doesn't look bent. But the threads need fixing to where you can run the nut down by hand and then tighten it with a wrench.
I was just going to say, where is everyone seeing the bend because from that picture I don't see much of any a bend and I just took a quick look at it from under my car and it looks straight. I will agree that the threads look "smashed" by the cotter pins (not shown in the picture). The nut only went down about two full threads. I'll pull the LCA balljoint off, get a die, and try running the threads hopefully by or before next weekend.
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 07:21 PM
Quote:
Quote:
I takes a lot to bend a ball joint stud and that one doesn't look bent. But the threads need fixing to where you can run the nut down by hand and then tighten it with a wrench.
I was just going to say, where is everyone seeing the bend because from that picture I don't see much of any a bend and I just took a quick look at it from under my car and it looks straight. I will agree that the threads look "smashed" by the cotter pins (not shown in the picture). The nut only went down about two full threads. I'll pull the LCA balljoint off, get a die, and try running the threads hopefully by or before next weekend.
You shouldn't need to take it off to run the die on it. Just do it were it is.
Posted By: goldduster318
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 07:40 PM
Quote:
Lovely, exactly what I wanted to do, take apart half the entire front suspension just to fix a new part. I'll buy a tap and die set next weekend and work on it. Is there an "easy" way to unseat the LCA and UCA ball joints from the spindle without using a pickle fork? And for the record, I did not hammer or file these ball joints.
Tie rod puller. I have a cheapo one that's kinda narrow so I may have used a pitman arm puller on the upper one. Usually comes right out.
Posted By: 6PakBee
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 07:57 PM
Quote:
Lovely, exactly what I wanted to do, take apart half the entire front suspension just to fix a new part. I'll buy a tap and die set next weekend and work on it. Is there an "easy" way to unseat the LCA and UCA ball joints from the spindle without using a pickle fork? And for the record, I did not hammer or file these ball joints.
If the stud is spinning in the LCA, the ball joint isn't set. Back off the torsion bar completely, jack the LCA up and the ball joint should just drop out. Then you can remove the lower ball joint, stick it in your vise, and work on it without fighting anything.
Posted By: OzHemi
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 08:00 PM
I might have a die around...what thread is it?
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 08:02 PM
Quote:
I might have a die around...what thread is it?
No idea... I don't have a thread gauge.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 08:03 PM
Quote:
Quote:
Lovely, exactly what I wanted to do, take apart half the entire front suspension just to fix a new part. I'll buy a tap and die set next weekend and work on it. Is there an "easy" way to unseat the LCA and UCA ball joints from the spindle without using a pickle fork? And for the record, I did not hammer or file these ball joints.
If the stud is spinning in the LCA, the ball joint isn't set. Back off the torsion bar completely, jack the LCA up and the ball joint should just drop out. Then you can remove the lower ball joint, stick it in your vise, and work on it without fighting anything.
I already set the LCA in the ball joint to get the nut out and the Torsion bars are already backed off completely.
Posted By: skicker
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 08:14 PM
Quote:
Then you can remove the lower ball joint, stick it in your vise, and work on it without fighting anything.
DING DING DING!!!
It will take no more time to take it apart and do it right. If your worried about reassembly put the LBJ on the LCA first..jack it up into place and tighten it. Then bolt the two bolts from the spindle into the lBJ. Nothing says it has to go on the spindle first.
Posted By: jcc
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 08:17 PM
Quote:
Quote:
None of us knew how to do it the first time. At least you're trying and learning.
This. JD nailed it.
A Good reminder
Posted By: 6PakBee
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 08:43 PM
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Lovely, exactly what I wanted to do, take apart half the entire front suspension just to fix a new part. I'll buy a tap and die set next weekend and work on it. Is there an "easy" way to unseat the LCA and UCA ball joints from the spindle without using a pickle fork? And for the record, I did not hammer or file these ball joints.
If the stud is spinning in the LCA, the ball joint isn't set. Back off the torsion bar completely, jack the LCA up and the ball joint should just drop out. Then you can remove the lower ball joint, stick it in your vise, and work on it without fighting anything.
I already set the LCA in the ball joint to get the nut out and the Torsion bars are already backed off completely.
Then Runcharger is right on. Take a center punch, support the LCA so it can't move, whack the stud and it'll come right out. Without tightening the nut, that stud can't be set that tightly.
Posted By: Just-a-dart
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 09:30 PM
MuuMuu if you want to barrow a thread file and a die I am in Glendora close by. PM me if you want
Posted By: rowin4
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 09:30 PM
Ok, you have to take the ball joint off to repair the threads. The first thing I would check is did someone put a metric nut in the new ball joint box?????? Next, fixing the threads: a threading die has been mentioned, the proper item is what they call a HEX RETHREADING DIE. This die does not cut threads but straightens them , same with the tap, if you already have threads, you don't want to cut new ones, that just removes metal that you need for proper torque. Also use a RETHREAD TAP, It will straighten the thread without removing metal and clean the hole of debree..
Posted By: HemiRick
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 10:00 PM
Damn everyone is making this so hard. Grind or file the threads above the hole so the nut will go on.....These threads dont matter anyway as they aren't used.
Posted By: dart4forte
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/11/15 10:24 PM
Quote:
Damn everyone is making this so hard. Grind or file the threads above the hole so the nut will go on.....These threads dont matter anyway as they aren't used.
Just did mine and had the same issue. Just filed the threads and it went on with no problem. Always a good idea to check threads by running a nut over the threads so if there's an issue it can be fixed before installation.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/12/15 12:01 AM
Quote:
MuuMuu if you want to barrow a thread file and a die I am in Glendora close by. PM me if you want
Sure thing. I'll pm you sometime this week as I don't know how my schedule is going to look.
Posted By: NV69B7RR
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/12/15 06:27 AM
I'm guessing you got a balljoint that someone F'd up and then returned saying it was good. Rockauto by chance? No worries, it can be fixed.
Its happened to all us at some point. We all had to learn the same way.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/13/15 04:59 AM
Quote:
I'm guessing you got a balljoint that someone F'd up and then returned saying it was good. Rockauto by chance? No worries, it can be fixed.
Its happened to all us at some point. We all had to learn the same way.
Yeah, it's a Rockauto part...
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/13/15 07:40 PM
For future reference run the nut on and off the stud by hand before installing. Just be sure everything works.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/14/15 07:58 AM
Quote:
For future reference run the nut on and off the stud by hand before installing. Just be sure everything works.
Thanks... I'll write it down and post it on my garage fridge.
Posted By: skicker
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/15/15 03:03 AM
If you put a sticky on the fridge for all the do's and don'ts you better get a bigger fridge...
Posted By: cudaman1969
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/15/15 04:32 AM
Quote:
Ok, you have to take the ball joint off to repair the threads. The first thing I would check is did someone put a metric nut in the new ball joint box?????? Next, fixing the threads: a threading die has been mentioned, the proper item is what they call a HEX RETHREADING DIE. This die does not cut threads but straightens them , same with the tap, if you already have threads, you don't want to cut new ones, that just removes metal that you need for proper torque. Also use a RETHREAD TAP, It will straighten the thread without removing metal and clean the hole of debree..
This is what i ran into changing ball joints,metric nuts, did the same thing you are going thru, check with old nut for fitment. Had to use the old nuts, whitch where ok
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/15/15 06:09 AM
Quote:
If you put a sticky on the fridge for all the do's and don'ts you better get a bigger fridge...
That could be arranged. More room for... and other tasties. 
Posted By: 6PakBee
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/15/15 03:51 PM
You guys might laugh but I requested a larger PC monitor at work because the old one wasn't large enough to hold all the sticky notes!
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/17/15 11:35 PM
Just removed the LCA Balljoint... No bend.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/17/15 11:36 PM
One side...
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/17/15 11:37 PM
Other side... Bad picture.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/17/15 11:39 PM
So, I think I'm going to head over to HF to get a tap and die set. When I run the threads how should I hold the part so the center ball joint doesn't rotate as I'm utilizing the die?
Posted By: nomore65BelvJim
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/17/15 11:55 PM
Did you try the other sides ball joint nut on it?
Or one of the old ones?
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 12:09 AM
Quote:
Did you try the other sides ball joint nut on it?
Or one of the old ones?
I tried it and it snags in the exact same spot. The other LCA ball joint seems to be fine, but I'm trying to set it into the LCA to see if I can thread it down further.
Posted By: RUNCHARGER
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 12:18 AM
I don't know how you'll keep it from spinning either, that's why I suggested a new Ball Joint a while back.
Sheldon
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 12:19 AM
Quote:
I don't know how you'll keep it from spinning either, that's why I suggested a new Ball Joint a while back.
Sheldon
Makes sense. I must have overlooked your comment.
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 12:25 AM
Also, I'm having trouble removing the UCA ball joints from the spindle. I get the punch angled properly to pop the balljoint out with a hammer.
Posted By: RUNCHARGER
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 12:25 AM
No that's okay, at that time I thought the stud was bent anyway. You might get it by fiddling with it and not jamming the die if you're careful. It won't take much to clean the threads enough for the nut to run on, use lots of oil with the die.
Sheldon
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 12:57 AM
I just looked on Summit. Reading the reviews, it seems like other people had problems with smashed threads.
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 01:06 AM
That's why I buy from the local parts store so I can return bad parts and not have to wait to reinstall good ones. The whole deal should have been a one day job.
Posted By: moparpollack
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 01:40 AM
The only way I ever cured a spinning ball joint is to put a jack under the lower ball joint and force the taper portion into he spindle until it stopped spinning.
Stop being an engineer and start forcing thing like a mechanic.
Posted By: OzHemi
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 01:43 AM
Posted By: OzHemi
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 01:46 AM
Quote:
Also, I'm having trouble removing the UCA ball joints from the spindle. I get the punch angled properly to pop the balljoint out with a hammer.
Hit the side of the spindle where the ball joint stud goes through, with a 
a couple times and it should pop loose. 
Posted By: moparpollack
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 01:46 AM
Quote:
Bring it over and I can weld the ball joint stud to the ball joint so it won't spin. 
That only works for upper ball joints! 
Posted By: moparpollack
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 01:49 AM
Quote:
Quote:
Also, I'm having trouble removing the UCA ball joints from the spindle. I get the punch angled properly to pop the balljoint out with a hammer.
Hit the side of the spindle where the ball joint stud goes through, with a a couple times and it should pop loose.
Yup use the force of the hammer!
Posted By: OzHemi
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 01:52 AM
Quote:
Quote:
Bring it over and I can weld the ball joint stud to the ball joint so it won't spin.
That only works for upper ball joints!
Once I fire up the welder, it is hard to stop..
Posted By: 340duster340
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 01:52 AM
Quote:
Also, I'm having trouble removing the UCA ball joints from the spindle. I get the punch angled properly to pop the balljoint out with a hammer.
get a pickle fork and lube it up so you don't rip the boot. it will come right out.
or if you are coordinated enough a whack with a lump hammer directly to the top of the spindle should free it as well.
Posted By: skicker
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 02:05 AM
Quote:
The only way I ever cured a spinning ball joint is to put a jack under the lower ball joint and force the taper portion into he spindle until it stopped spinning.
Stop being an engineer and start forcing thing like a mechanic.
ditto....Jack the lower BJ up into the control arm, unbolt it from the spindle and quit fooling with the upper BJ. Tighten the lower BJ up, put the cotter pin in and then put the 2 bolts in the spindle. Make sure you line the cotter pin hole up front to back!
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 03:34 AM
Quote:
Quote:
The only way I ever cured a spinning ball joint is to put a jack under the lower ball joint and force the taper portion into he spindle until it stopped spinning.
Stop being an engineer and start forcing thing like a mechanic.
ditto....Jack the lower BJ up into the control arm, unbolt it from the spindle and quit fooling with the upper BJ. Tighten the lower BJ up, put the cotter pin in and then put the 2 bolts in the spindle. Make sure you line the cotter pin hole up front to back!
To be fair, the LCA ball joint castle nut is a total PIA to get to with the UCA balljoint in place. Although, your way doesn't sound too bad either. So I'm assuming the cotter pin will be a PIA if the hole is facing wheel to frame rails?
Posted By: MuuMuu101
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/18/15 03:34 AM
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Bring it over and I can weld the ball joint stud to the ball joint so it won't spin.
That only works for upper ball joints!
Once I fire up the welder, it is hard to stop..
I'll be right over! 
Posted By: skicker
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/19/15 03:21 PM
Correct. Sometimes its a huge pita to remove the cotter pin at a later time when it runs from frame to wheel. When the LBJ is unbolted from the spindle lift the spindle and UCA up out of the way and strap it up in the wheel well.
Posted By: CokeBottleKid
Re: Am I Doing Something Wrong? LCA Balljoint Issue... - 01/19/15 03:53 PM
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So, I think I'm going to head over to HF to get a tap and die set. When I run the threads how should I hold the part so the center ball joint doesn't rotate as I'm utilizing the die?
Kid someone beat on that ball joint stud, return it and get a new one. You try to run a die over those threads and you'll most likely make it worse and then you can't return it.