Ball joint Spinning... lowering job
 

Putting in a set of drop springs today and when putting my suspension back together, the lower ball joint spins a little when tightening the castle nut... should i reach for the impact? is this normal?

Usually when the BJ spins, it's a sign of wear. It should be replaced. The cost of a new ball joint can be far less than the damage caused by one that fails while driving down the road.

That being said . . ..... if you wish to continue, 'tap' on the spindle to try to seat the BJ stud a little more. That should grip the stud better & keep it from spinning.

I'd replace it just to be safe. Ever see a ball joint fail? I'm sure that $30 for a new one would offset the cost of a tow and possible damage:)

If you must get it back together for now, use a C clamp to hold the spindel to the control arm.
-Jeremy

i'm sorry, but that has to be the dumbest thing i have ever heard. suspension, especially on the steer end of the trucks is one of the 2 things that you should not compromise, no matter what the circumstances. the other being brakes.

what is the best way to pop the ball joints out?

ya, i realize the press in and out... so, its probably easiest to just take the lower control arms totally off...???

No. Just contact your nearest parts house that rents tools. They should have a 'C-clamp' style BJ tool that will pop the old one out & then w/a few changes of the dies, press the new one in.

Pulling the arm off the truck might make things easier to work on, but it's not mandatory.

I did both of mine on the truck with the press. You can bottow one from most of the parts stores around here, or buy one at Harbor Freight when they go on sale, like I did. It makes the job pretty easy.

Slonaker