So I just changed both axles and I can't seem to get the castle nuts back on. I can tighten them some of the way, but after the nut makes contact with the lower control arm the bolt in the joint just spins along with the nut. Anyone encounter this before?

 

The trick I use to get them to tighten on is put your jack under the lower control arm. Jack it up till the suspension fully compresses. Its basically when the jack is about to lift the car off the stand. Once you do that you should be able to torque them down properly.

 

You probably boogered up the threads getting them off, get a die and rethread it so the nut threads on nice and easy I think its a 10mm or 12mm x 1.25

 

i also use the jack trick that Bizarre uses, it works evey time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdm206 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i also use the jack trick that Bizarre uses, it works evey time. </TD></TR></TABLE>
x2 works like a charm

 

if the jack stand thing doesnt work out for you...take a bar that will fit in between the knuckle and the ball joint and have someone push down on it while you impact it on...good luck.

 

its because the balljoint is used and worn out. doesnt mean you necessarily have to replace the balljoint, but its just worn from normal use.

also the castle nut DOES stretch after use, especially because the threads are disrupted by 6 cuts at the end... so either:

buy a new castle nut, or buy a tap

12x1.25M for the lower balljoint.

10x1.25M for the tie rod and upper.

i always keep taps in my tool box.

 

btw, thats some nice pics of the balljoint!

nice camera...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">btw, thats some nice pics of the balljoint!

nice camera...</TD></TR></TABLE>
x2....what camera?

 

That nut looks boogered up too I would replace it with a new one as well

 

Thanks for the replies everyone, I got them on. I had to grind down one of the bolts because the threads were mangled, so I had to use lock-tight instead of a cotter pin.

It works for now though, my parents wanted the car out of the driveway, and I think I'll eventually have to get new ball joints anyway like Tyson said.

Btw, camera is a Canon Digital Rebel XTi with the stock lense, and it was on auto.

 

What I use in this case is a 4" C clamp. Put one end on top of the ball joint and one end on the knuckle and tighten, doesn't take much pressure to stop the stud from turning. Also, be careful not to overtighten the castle nut.