The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - New Ball Joint install problem Need advise

LONGHAIR · 05-27-2007, 08:37 PM

Ah, yeah.
I would be willing to bet that the one that is spinning the stud is the upper.
That is because there is an adjustment sleeve in the upper part of the axle housing to compensate for this. It has 4 slots that require a special socket to tighten this sleeve. It looks like a miniture version of the spindle nut socket.
You should be able to get one from your local NAPA or other auto parts store.

You partially tighten the lower ball-joint first (torque to 30#). Then tighten the sleeve down over the upper joint's taper, torquing to 50#. After that you install the upper nut and torque it to 100#. If it needs to move to align the cotter pin holes, you should tighten it more.....do not loosen the upper nut. After that final torque the lower nut to 70#.

05-27-2007, 08:37 PM	#2
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: New Ball Joint install problem Need advise Ah, yeah. I would be willing to bet that the one that is spinning the stud is the upper. That is because there is an adjustment sleeve in the upper part of the axle housing to compensate for this. It has 4 slots that require a special socket to tighten this sleeve. It looks like a miniture version of the spindle nut socket. You should be able to get one from your local NAPA or other auto parts store. You partially tighten the lower ball-joint first (torque to 30#). Then tighten the sleeve down over the upper joint's taper, torquing to 50#. After that you install the upper nut and torque it to 100#. If it needs to move to align the cotter pin holes, you should tighten it more.....do not loosen the upper nut. After that final torque the lower nut to 70#.