Swapped a new transmission into the car, had to do the knuckles and two of my ball joints spin freely whenever i try to tighten them. The guy at the parts store said to hit the top of them with a hammer, but that didn't help. Tried to keep tightening, but got no where. Any ideas, besides replacing? Out of money, need something that'll get them locked back up. Got one to lock back up already, but none of the others are having it.

 

that doesnt' mean they are bad, my brand new honda upper and lowers on both sides did the same thing. You have to load the suspension, i.e. put a floor jack under the lower control arm closest to the ball joint as possible still leaving room to get a socket on to tighten it. then lift the car from that point off of the jackstand then they will tighten up. Your also suppose to do this when tightening any suspension bolts connected to rubber suspension bushings as per the service manual. This is so that the bushings for instance where the shock mounts in the lower control arm and the control arm mounts to the subframe are clocked properly or they can wear prematurely.

 

much appreciated! i'll try this in the AM.

 

the previous suggestion might help, but the real problem is the castle nuts stretch after use. the solution is either buy a tap to chase the threads on the castle nut, or buy a new castle nut from the dealer. if youre talking about the lower balljoints, its a m12x1.25 thread. m10x1.25 for the tie rod and upper balljoint.

however, do load the suspension before tightening all bushing bolts. its the correct way to preserve the bushings.

 

Try scissor jack between top of upper control arm and inside fender well.

 

I've used the following two methods with success:

1). Use an impact gun to spin the nut on quickly;

2). Use a "C" clamp on the flat part of the joint and the knuckle, all it takes is a little bit of pressure.

 

Impact gun has worked wonders. Waiting on help from a friend to get the strut fork in the LCA then I'm tossing the wheels back on. Thanks for all the ideas, I'd have been throwing wrenches by now.