After replacing my axle I started reattaching the ball joint to the LCA but when I went to put the castle nut back on the ball joint bolt start rotating with the nut. Am I right in thinking this is a bad thing? What should I do? I can't get the nut back on.

Thanks

 

Did you damage the threads? Sometimes you can wedge the ball joint sideways with a prybar to tighten the nut.

 

I just checked and the threads are slightly damaged in one spot.

The nut will go about half way over that spot, but that's probably the problem. Am I screwed? Do I need to replace the joint?

 

On stubborn ball joints, I jack up the lower control arm (have to have the strut assy in place for this to work tho), and impact it on there.

 

Yeah, I've used a jack to lift on the lower control arm, pushing the BJ taper tight into its hole. Also try a thread file to chase the bungled threads (if you've got a thread die that's even better). Clean the taper & the hole so they aren't greasy. Be careful you don't knock the car off the jackstands.

 

I think there was lots of grease at the interface between the lca and the ball joint. I cleaned that up so hopefully that will help.

One question though. What exactly is a thread file? Will any narrow file work, or is there something special about a thread file? I was thinking about using my dremel to clean out the grooves but even my thinnest disk is still way thicker than the threads on the bolt.

Thanks again


[Modified by robbin, 7:25 AM 2/22/2003]

 

get a die, it is cheap about 5 dollars, and it is better to retap

 

Do you need to get a correct certain size die, or are they "one size fits all"?

Sorry for the ignorant questions... I'm learning.

 

A thread file is a special file with teeth that are the right size & shape for the threads. Its a cheap way out instead of using a die. You can usually clean up rusted or mashed threads. Usually there's 8 surfaces, each is marked for the specific thread pitch.

A die is what you use to cut threads in the first place. Kind of like a tap, but a die is for external threads. Its way better than a thread file, but more costly once you get all the different sizes you need for all the different bolts.

You'll spend forever using a dremel, even with a really thin disk. Besides, its too easy to screw it up.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I ended up calling my neighbor and he had all the tools and expertise to help me finish the job.

Anyway, I'm sort of learning the hard way, but at least I'm learning.

 

you should have tried cranking the steering wheel hard left or right. it always works for me. it binds the balljoint in place so it wont spin as easy.