So i just replaced my passenger side axle on my 96 hatchback everything went smooth until i had to connect the upper control arm. The bolt from the ball joint keeps turning as im trying to tighten down the castle nut. Ive never encountered this problem before, am i doing something wrong here or does that mean the ball joint needs to be replaced?

I thought it might have been because the nut was stripped but i bought a brand new one from honda and its still doing the same thing. Can someone help me out, thanks!!!

 

Put a jack under the lower control arm and jack up, the weight/pressure should put the ball joint in place and keep it from spinning...

 

The upper ball joint is in the upper control arm, jacking the lca up won't necessarily jam the upper control arm down....unless you stuck a piece of wood or something between the body and the uca...but be careful so you don't bend anything.

If you have any play in the upper ball joint, get new ones for both sides. You can buy new upper control arms, or just the ball joint alone.