I took the rack-n-pinion ball joint from the spindle to take the axel out. i used a fork( which probably wasnt for an import) to pop it up...when i went to put the 17 back on it to tighten back down to the spindle...all it did was spin. how can that piece be pressed in so that it want spin...because i can drive the car with out that piece being tightened down to the spindle. every nut i tried had the ball joint spinning......thanks for any advice.

 

if you're doing this at home and don't have many tools available try tapping pressing down on the top of the ball joint with a bass hammer then try to tighten it or shoot it on with an impact

 

bump

 

Use the fork that you have too put some presure on the ball joint. Put it in between like you had it to break it apart and pry down gently then you should be able to tighten the nut. Try that

 

did you own the threads on the rod end ball joint by trying to get it out with a hammer before using the fork?

thats typically how they get damaged and do what you are describing.

in this situation you need an air gun, and then you press the trigger on/off/on/off repeat until it goes... and if it doesnt... replace the tie rod end.

i never found any good way to hold that stud in the ball joint from spinning when it has damaged threads.

possibly could try some crazy method if using a C-Clamp or something to try and seat the tie rod end ball joint into the spindle as tight as possible and hope that the friction there would hold it from spinning while you try and tighten??? i dunno, i had to deal with it 100 times, air gun always works... only had to replace the end once or twice.

 

Just grab the top of the ball joint and the lower control arm with a large set of channel locks, that will give you enough friction to tighten the nut.

 

channel locks did the trick.....that nut is never coming off again.....glad my boy rolled through to help me out....i was getting fustrated. But im happy its own and on to the wheel alignment shop........

thanks for all the help, suggestions, and/or advice