i just replaced the axle and had to cut off the castle nut on the lower ball joint.. whatever got everything back.. but when i try to thread on the castle nut, the whole bolt is turning. is there a trick to securing the ball joint to prevent this or is the whole ball joint shot at this point?

also its easier for me to replace the whole knuckle/hub if the ball joint is messed right?

thanks in advance

 

Ball joints have to be pressed so it is usually easier to replace the knuckle if you can find it cheap.

To get the nut back on when the ball joint is spining can be tricky. The only way I ever get it back on is with an impact or air ratchet.

 

yeah it is better to replace the ball joint. and best way to diy is go to rent te ball join press from autozone. thats what i did. it is free after u return the equipment back to them

 

One says replace knuckle
One says replace ball joint

tie breaker?

 

it is way easier to replace the whole knuckle if you ca find it for cheap, just like smiley said. but if not then just replace the ball joint, it wont hurt to take some time to save some money.

 

I'm guessing you have pressed/tapped the balljoint into the knuckle and installed the retaining clip?

After that, if the nut keeps spinning when you try to install, do this:

1.) Place the balljoint into the LCA. Jack up the LCA so that the car gets lifted by the LCA. This will partially seat the balljoint into the LCA. Then tighten the nut and see if it goes in. Try an impact gun for fast turning...but DONT blast it on. I think torque for the lower balljoint is like 50-70lbs...but I dont remember the actual number. Keep turning for a while. The nut may be spinning, but you might slowly be making progress. If this doesn't work, and the nut still spins for a long *** time and you're not getting anywhere, go to step 2.

2.) With the LCA out of the way, thread the nut on by hand to see where the resistance is. If the threads are F'ed up, GENTLY grab the shiny, non threaded portion of the balljoint using some vice grips. Then thread the bolt on and off with a wrench (impact gun or electric drill with a socket works better since it turns faster) many times till the nut rolls on the stud very nicely.

3.) Repeat step 1.


There's really not much of an advantage to replacing the whole spindle except for that it's cheaper to get a spindle at a junkyard with a good ball joint. It's also easier...and depending where you got the balljoint, the OEM part may be of better quality.

The advantage to replacing a balljoint by itself is that you get a brand new part. If you get a high quality part, built to or built above OEM specs, it may be safer to buy a new ball joint.

Sometimes, people dont often give REASONS for their answers on honda-tech. It's annoying.

 

are you kiddn me, replace the knuckle because you have a bad ball joint? thats like buying a wheel AND tire because your tread is low. just replace the ball joint or work with what you have. if the stud of the ball joint is turning when you spin the nut try these things first- get an extra floor jack or jack stand and put it under the lower control arm then let the weight of the car down onto it, try and tighten. if it still spins get a c-clamp and clamp the knuckle toward the lower c.arm, try to tighten. with either method if you have an impact (air or electric) use it, just make sure the nut isnt cross threaded before you hit it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nub &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">are you kiddn me, replace the knuckle because you have a bad ball joint? thats like buying a wheel AND tire because your tread is low. just replace the ball joint or work with what you have. if the stud of the ball joint is turning when you spin the nut try these things first- get an extra floor jack or jack stand and put it under the lower control arm then let the weight of the car down onto it, try and tighten. if it still spins get a c-clamp and clamp the knuckle toward the lower c.arm, try to tighten. with either method if you have an impact (air or electric) use it, just make sure the nut isnt cross threaded before you hit it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, i sorta agree, while the knuckles are decently cheap and it'd be easy to just pick one up from a junkyard and slap it on, I'd say rent a ball joint press from autozone or advanced auto or something of the like. They're free. It's the best bet you have without an impact wrench.

 

think about this, if you buy a knuckle from a junkyard whats the possibility that that knuckle and ball joint are any better than what you already have. slim to none, and youve done twice the work only to find out your "new" ball joint is just as f'ed as your old one. thats not to mention that knuckle could be damaged in some way opening up a whole new can of worms. .02 cents