What's the best way to get the castle nut for the front lower ball joint on when the the ball joint just spins when tightening it down?

 

Wire brush the threads, soak in PB Blaster, and C clamp the bolt while tightening the nut.

 

I always just use the biggest pair of pliers i have, its easier if someone else holds it for you but trust me it can be done by yourself. Right now one I got from harbor freight for ten bucks (the most expensive thing iv ever bought from there haha).

 

Replace your balljoint. -Later, BR

 

OP, i corrected the formerly vague title to reflect the subject at hand.

good luck.

 

Thanks, lol

Can you change it to "Castle nut stuck on spinning lower ball joint"?

 

You can try this ^ first, also make sure the threads aren't screwed up. You may be fighting against bad threads.



If that doesn't work, make sure the tapered section of the balljoint that seats into the LCA is clean and free of grease. You want it to be bare metal. Same goes for the hole in the LCA.

That ^ is almost guaranteed to work.



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woot woot, I didn't think about the grease part! I'm gonna try this tonight... need to get some more brake cleaner... I'll let you know what comes of it!

 

You could also put horizontal pressure on it to keep it from spinning. (the balljoint that is) That has work once or twice for me. But you still should think about replacing it. -Later, BR

 

WOOT WOOT! I got it! Sprayed everything down with some brake cleaner and drop kicked the knuckle from the top in a downward motion and was able to get it on enough to get the cotter pin through the ball joint!!!

Next thing to do is bolt the DP to the snail and I'll be drivin' this b!tch! It's been nearly a year since I flipped the silver coupe and now I got the Y8 powered EM1 ready to roll!

I'll rent a press and put in some new ball joints when I get all the bugs worked out of 'er! Thanks for all yer help!!!

 

As long as there is no play, it is fine. Spinning doesn't always mean there is play.



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exactly, i bought a new upper control arm from honda and the ball joint spun freely around and around, i used a bar to press down on the balljoint and an impact gun to get er tight.