Ball Joints - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bouncytruck · 07-11-2002, 01:06 PM

My upper driver's side ball joint is shot. I have most of the front end appart but I can't get the nut off the top of the ball joint. The problem is, the ball joint is spinning freely so I can't break the nut free. Does anyone have any ideas how to fix this.

Here's a quick illustration of my problem. I thought about grinding the nut off, but I don't have a grinder. I also thought about drilling into it but if it is hardened steel, that probably won't work either.

72futuresweet2wd · 07-11-2002, 01:18 PM

I would try a sawzall if you have one available it may be able to cut it I actually cut my front sway bar mounts off of the frame with my cordless Porter Cable sawzall. It was a hell of alot easier than trying to drill them out.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 07-11-2002, 01:27 PM

Try driving a pickle fork in there and using an impact wrench.

bouncytruck · 07-11-2002, 01:30 PM

I could probably rent one for a day. Do you think that a saws all would be better than a grinder?

ebfabman · 07-11-2002, 01:36 PM

pickle fork !!!

**ThreeQuarter** · 07-11-2002, 01:36 PM

If you tear off the boot, is there room enough to get a pair of skinny vise grips on the shaft?

What about popping the cap off the other end and getting to it that way?

Grind a groove in the end of the threaded shaft (like a slot screw head) and try to hold it still that way.

Good luck.

72futuresweet2wd · 07-11-2002, 01:42 PM

Yeah that pickle fork idea is better one.

bouncytruck · 07-11-2002, 02:08 PM

Tried the pickel fork and vice grips. Neither of them held it solid enough to get the nut off (pickel fork came a lot closer though). I'll have to check for the groove in the bottom, but I don't think I can get enough leverage there to hold it in place.

ebfabman · 07-11-2002, 02:40 PM

get a bigger hammer and/or a better pickel fork. The pickle fork "shoulder" should be tall enough to become "lodged" between the spindle and the ball joint as to "tighten up" the balljoint nut. Once the nut is tight and the ball joint can't spin, then try to back off the nut. If the ball joint begins to spin, hammer the pickle fork "deeper" to keep the nut tight as you unscrew it.

Get a good pickle fork, if you work on vehicles you need good pickle forks (I have several and use them all )

ebfabman · 07-11-2002, 02:44 PM

to add to above, use an impact(air or electric) if you can ( may need a long extention )

junkyardjohn · 07-11-2002, 02:44 PM

IF ALL ELSE FAILS .... DRAG OUT THE SMOKE WRENCH. IT'LL TAKE ANYTHING OFF.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 07-11-2002, 02:47 PM

Or if at all possible try to "Tack" weld it, that might work also. But first try the pickle fork and an Impact wrench.

Longhorn Man · 07-11-2002, 05:04 PM

One time I had to put a bottle jack inbetween the upper and lower A arms...then drove a pickle fork in there, and jacked up the jack untill the arms were flexing a little.
Dangerouse...use it as a last resort...well, before the hot wrench anyways.

bouncytruck · 07-11-2002, 05:15 PM

It's a 4wd - no A arms. What is a "hot wrench"

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 07-11-2002, 05:18 PM

Cutting Torch!!

bouncytruck · 07-11-2002, 05:26 PM

Humm, don't have one of those or know anyone with one so I guess that's out of the question. I have a buddy with an angle grinder so I think I'll give that a try.

Longhorn Man · 07-11-2002, 05:37 PM

hmmm, I shoulda looked at who I was talkin to huh?
sorry,

bouncytruck · 07-11-2002, 07:58 PM

No problem longhornmail, the idea may come in handy in the future...

Wabash · 07-11-2002, 09:19 PM

damn what luck i just had a look at my balljoints while i was changing out brake callipers and seen my upper ball joint on the drivers side is shot too.

stllookn · 07-11-2002, 09:29 PM

bouncytruck...have them all in the South end...Kent...if you want to drive down here. I will be in Olympia tomorrow but will be around the rest of the weekend.

6869704X4 · 07-12-2002, 12:53 AM

Had the same thing happen to my 4x4. I drove the ball joint back up into the hole as tight as I could. This provided enough friction to get the nut off. Liberal use of WD40 on the threads helped too. You can also try to just heat the nut with a small torch.

bouncytruck · 07-12-2002, 12:44 PM

stllookn, thanks but the thing is 90% appart and sitting on jack stands right now. The rotors, hubs and axles are in the garage. I'm going to borrow a buddies angle grinder and see if I can do some damage with that.

tom hand · 07-12-2002, 12:56 PM

It's a castle nut, it should be quite easy to cut it with a BFH and a sharp chisel. If need be, cut both sides even with the slots for the cotter pin. I have cut grade 8 nuts this way with no problem.

bouncytruck · 07-12-2002, 01:23 PM

I figured that the nut would be too hard for a chisel. I'll give that a try before the grinder. Thanks!

Low69CST · 07-12-2002, 01:42 PM

I would cut the majority with either a grinder or plasma cutter. You probbly don't have a plasma cutter or know someone that has one. I'd cut most just about everything with a grinder, but leave some there so you don't knick up the axle then use a chisle to get the remaning off.

07-11-2002, 01:06 PM	#1
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Ball Joints My upper driver's side ball joint is shot. I have most of the front end appart but I can't get the nut off the top of the ball joint. The problem is, the ball joint is spinning freely so I can't break the nut free. Does anyone have any ideas how to fix this. Here's a quick illustration of my problem. I thought about grinding the nut off, but I don't have a grinder. I also thought about drilling into it but if it is hardened steel, that probably won't work either. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L Last edited by bouncytruck; 01-12-2006 at 05:06 PM.

07-11-2002, 01:18 PM	#2
72futuresweet2wd The face of my 69 c10 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 171	I would try a sawzall if you have one available it may be able to cut it I actually cut my front sway bar mounts off of the frame with my cordless Porter Cable sawzall. It was a hell of alot easier than trying to drill them out. __________________ 2002 Harley Davidson VRod 1972 2wd Blazer (Project) 1969 Chevy C10 (Driver) 2002 Chevy Trailblazer (Wifes)

07-11-2002, 01:27 PM	#3
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Try driving a pickle fork in there and using an impact wrench. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

07-11-2002, 01:30 PM	#4
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	I could probably rent one for a day. Do you think that a saws all would be better than a grinder? __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-11-2002, 01:36 PM	#6
ThreeQuarter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Texan in Iowa Posts: 2,522	If you tear off the boot, is there room enough to get a pair of skinny vise grips on the shaft? What about popping the cap off the other end and getting to it that way? Grind a groove in the end of the threaded shaft (like a slot screw head) and try to hold it still that way. Good luck. __________________ Ben '68 Chevy C10 Custom LWB 327/TH400 2nd owner '16 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Dblcab 4wd 5.3

07-11-2002, 01:36 PM	#5
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	pickle fork !!!

07-11-2002, 01:42 PM	#7
72futuresweet2wd The face of my 69 c10 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 171	Yeah that pickle fork idea is better one. __________________ 2002 Harley Davidson VRod 1972 2wd Blazer (Project) 1969 Chevy C10 (Driver) 2002 Chevy Trailblazer (Wifes)

07-11-2002, 02:08 PM	#8
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Tried the pickel fork and vice grips. Neither of them held it solid enough to get the nut off (pickel fork came a lot closer though). I'll have to check for the groove in the bottom, but I don't think I can get enough leverage there to hold it in place. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-11-2002, 02:40 PM	#9
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	get a bigger hammer and/or a better pickel fork. The pickle fork "shoulder" should be tall enough to become "lodged" between the spindle and the ball joint as to "tighten up" the balljoint nut. Once the nut is tight and the ball joint can't spin, then try to back off the nut. If the ball joint begins to spin, hammer the pickle fork "deeper" to keep the nut tight as you unscrew it. Get a good pickle fork, if you work on vehicles you need good pickle forks (I have several and use them all )

07-11-2002, 02:44 PM	#10
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,488	to add to above, use an impact(air or electric) if you can ( may need a long extention )

07-11-2002, 02:44 PM	#11
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	IF ALL ELSE FAILS .... DRAG OUT THE SMOKE WRENCH. IT'LL TAKE ANYTHING OFF. __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

07-11-2002, 02:47 PM	#12
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Or if at all possible try to "Tack" weld it, that might work also. But first try the pickle fork and an Impact wrench. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

07-11-2002, 05:04 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	One time I had to put a bottle jack inbetween the upper and lower A arms...then drove a pickle fork in there, and jacked up the jack untill the arms were flexing a little. Dangerouse...use it as a last resort...well, before the hot wrench anyways.

07-11-2002, 05:15 PM	#14
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	It's a 4wd - no A arms. What is a "hot wrench" __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-11-2002, 05:18 PM	#15
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Cutting Torch!! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA



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07-11-2002, 05:26 PM	#16
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Humm, don't have one of those or know anyone with one so I guess that's out of the question. I have a buddy with an angle grinder so I think I'll give that a try. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-11-2002, 05:37 PM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	hmmm, I shoulda looked at who I was talkin to huh? sorry,

07-11-2002, 07:58 PM	#18
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	No problem longhornmail, the idea may come in handy in the future... __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-11-2002, 09:19 PM	#19
Wabash Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 534	damn what luck i just had a look at my balljoints while i was changing out brake callipers and seen my upper ball joint on the drivers side is shot too. __________________ 1972 C/10 LWB 1972 K/5 Blazer

07-11-2002, 09:29 PM	#20
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	bouncytruck...have them all in the South end...Kent...if you want to drive down here. I will be in Olympia tomorrow but will be around the rest of the weekend. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

07-12-2002, 12:53 AM	#21
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	Had the same thing happen to my 4x4. I drove the ball joint back up into the hole as tight as I could. This provided enough friction to get the nut off. Liberal use of WD40 on the threads helped too. You can also try to just heat the nut with a small torch. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

07-12-2002, 12:44 PM	#22
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	stllookn, thanks but the thing is 90% appart and sitting on jack stands right now. The rotors, hubs and axles are in the garage. I'm going to borrow a buddies angle grinder and see if I can do some damage with that. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-12-2002, 12:56 PM	#23
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	It's a castle nut, it should be quite easy to cut it with a BFH and a sharp chisel. If need be, cut both sides even with the slots for the cotter pin. I have cut grade 8 nuts this way with no problem. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

07-12-2002, 01:23 PM	#24
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	I figured that the nut would be too hard for a chisel. I'll give that a try before the grinder. Thanks! __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-12-2002, 01:42 PM	#25
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	I would cut the majority with either a grinder or plasma cutter. You probbly don't have a plasma cutter or know someone that has one. I'd cut most just about everything with a grinder, but leave some there so you don't knick up the axle then use a chisle to get the remaning off. __________________ '69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks

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