Help! More balljoint problems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

84Stepper · 03-26-2003, 09:01 PM

Help guys.. this thing is giving me fits. When I try to loosen the nut to remove it, the bolt is turning with it. I know it is ready to drop if this nut would just come off. Is this bolt supposed to be turning?? Im I doing this right? I want to get my drop springs in tonight. Thanks.

84Stepper · 03-26-2003, 09:03 PM

Do I have the pickle fork in the right place? Thanks.

*rage'nrat638* · 03-26-2003, 09:12 PM

see if you can get a air tool (ratchet) to spin it faster????
worse thing cut it off and replace b.j. not that expensive
for all the trouble...the boot will more than likely be shot any how
MARK

RockHQ · 03-26-2003, 09:21 PM

Try putting BIG vise grips on the bolt, then turn the nut. Or put a jack under there and jack the a-arm up so that there's pressure in the balljoint, try turning the nut. Or heat the nut with a torch then pour cold water over it to cool it quickly (will FUBAR the nut and balljoint).

-Axle

84Stepper · 03-26-2003, 09:31 PM

I just checked it and the cotter pin is out. If I do have to cut it where do I cut at? Before I think I will try what rockhq said to do. Thanks guys I will be back in a lil while.

84Stepper · 03-26-2003, 11:46 PM

Well guys I said F it and went to the other side. The other side was a piece of cake! Now I guess I will have to hack at the stuck bolt on the other side tomm......and it not gunna be fun.

Well now that I got all of that done how do I get the lower ball joint out?

**swervin ervin** · 03-27-2003, 12:05 AM

You sure a piece of the cotter pin didn't break off inside the hole? Have you tried an impact wrench just for heck of it?

Sometimes, things like this just happen. Maybe not this exact thing, but we've all had things like this happen to us that was easy to everyone else. If you work on vehicles, it will happen. Freak acts of nature or something.

Oh, forgot. The bottom ball joint is a press in fit. But most times, it will be loose enough to get a hold of it with the BAH, or if you don't know what that means, big ass hammer.

84Stepper · 03-27-2003, 12:28 AM

I already double checked to see if a piece of that cotter pin was in there....I even stuck something through the hole to make sure. So thats not the problem. Mooving on.....I dont have an impact wrench and if I did I think I would be the happiest man alive.....there is always a frickin bolt that will not come loose without a fight on every project I have done on my truck. So im gunna cut the boot and clean all the grease out and get ahold of the bolt with a pipe wrench and try seeing if that will work, if not im gunna start cutting and beating it up. Wacking something with a hammer always seems to work....its weird.

twistedmetal · 03-27-2003, 02:18 AM

place a axel stand under the control arm.let all the trucks weight sit on it.this should get it to grip in the taper on the spindle if not using your big hammer and a brass drift hammer on the spindle all the way around the ball joint stud,that should help it seat.then you should be able to wrench iy off

Quote:

If Fall Guy only knew how many trucks i've wrecked,He'd be proud

Prerunner1982 · 03-27-2003, 02:29 AM

had to hit erics (ocbaud) a few times before they fell.. good luck

84Stepper · 03-27-2003, 06:03 PM

Well guys I got it out a couple minutes ago!!!

I cut the rubber boot and dried all the grease off and stuck a pipe wrench on there and unscrewed the nut. So im happy as heck right now. Im gunna try to finish it up tonight if I have time but I doubt it. Thanks for all the help guys!

Mike76251 · 03-27-2003, 06:20 PM

'84,
Thanks for letting us know how it went and I am glad you finally got it.

03-26-2003, 09:01 PM	#1
84Stepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 425	Help! More balljoint problems Help guys.. this thing is giving me fits. When I try to loosen the nut to remove it, the bolt is turning with it. I know it is ready to drop if this nut would just come off. Is this bolt supposed to be turning?? Im I doing this right? I want to get my drop springs in tonight. Thanks. Attached Images __________________ 84 Chevy Stepside, 350, TH350, 268h Comp cam, Hooker headers, MSD Pro Billet, Edelbrock Performer manifold and 1604 carb, 40 Series Flowmasters dumped, and Western Chassis 3/5 drop w/ c notch. New 3:73 Eaton Posi

03-26-2003, 09:03 PM	#2
84Stepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 425	Another pic Do I have the pickle fork in the right place? Thanks. Attached Images __________________ 84 Chevy Stepside, 350, TH350, 268h Comp cam, Hooker headers, MSD Pro Billet, Edelbrock Performer manifold and 1604 carb, 40 Series Flowmasters dumped, and Western Chassis 3/5 drop w/ c notch. New 3:73 Eaton Posi

03-26-2003, 09:21 PM	#4
RockHQ ROCKET POWER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Finland, Europe Posts: 509	Try putting BIG vise grips on the bolt, then turn the nut. Or put a jack under there and jack the a-arm up so that there's pressure in the balljoint, try turning the nut. Or heat the nut with a torch then pour cold water over it to cool it quickly (will FUBAR the nut and balljoint). -Axle __________________ What did i do last nite? I had a wonderful time, That's what they tell me What did i do last nite? 1979 C-10 shortfleet: Olds 350, Th400, 12 bolt Current project: 1969 Olds 455 W-30, needing a rebuild

03-26-2003, 09:31 PM	#5
84Stepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 425	I just checked it and the cotter pin is out. If I do have to cut it where do I cut at? Before I think I will try what rockhq said to do. Thanks guys I will be back in a lil while. __________________ 84 Chevy Stepside, 350, TH350, 268h Comp cam, Hooker headers, MSD Pro Billet, Edelbrock Performer manifold and 1604 carb, 40 Series Flowmasters dumped, and Western Chassis 3/5 drop w/ c notch. New 3:73 Eaton Posi

03-26-2003, 11:46 PM	#6
84Stepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 425	Well guys I said F it and went to the other side. The other side was a piece of cake! Now I guess I will have to hack at the stuck bolt on the other side tomm......and it not gunna be fun. Well now that I got all of that done how do I get the lower ball joint out? __________________ 84 Chevy Stepside, 350, TH350, 268h Comp cam, Hooker headers, MSD Pro Billet, Edelbrock Performer manifold and 1604 carb, 40 Series Flowmasters dumped, and Western Chassis 3/5 drop w/ c notch. New 3:73 Eaton Posi

03-26-2003, 09:12 PM	#3
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	see if you can get a air tool (ratchet) to spin it faster???? worse thing cut it off and replace b.j. not that expensive for all the trouble...the boot will more than likely be shot any how MARK

03-27-2003, 12:05 AM	#7
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	You sure a piece of the cotter pin didn't break off inside the hole? Have you tried an impact wrench just for heck of it? Sometimes, things like this just happen. Maybe not this exact thing, but we've all had things like this happen to us that was easy to everyone else. If you work on vehicles, it will happen. Freak acts of nature or something. Oh, forgot. The bottom ball joint is a press in fit. But most times, it will be loose enough to get a hold of it with the BAH, or if you don't know what that means, big ass hammer. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10 Last edited by swervin ervin; 03-27-2003 at 12:07 AM.

03-27-2003, 12:28 AM	#8
84Stepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 425	I already double checked to see if a piece of that cotter pin was in there....I even stuck something through the hole to make sure. So thats not the problem. Mooving on.....I dont have an impact wrench and if I did I think I would be the happiest man alive.....there is always a frickin bolt that will not come loose without a fight on every project I have done on my truck. So im gunna cut the boot and clean all the grease out and get ahold of the bolt with a pipe wrench and try seeing if that will work, if not im gunna start cutting and beating it up. Wacking something with a hammer always seems to work....its weird. __________________ 84 Chevy Stepside, 350, TH350, 268h Comp cam, Hooker headers, MSD Pro Billet, Edelbrock Performer manifold and 1604 carb, 40 Series Flowmasters dumped, and Western Chassis 3/5 drop w/ c notch. New 3:73 Eaton Posi

03-27-2003, 02:29 AM	#10
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	had to hit erics (ocbaud) a few times before they fell.. good luck __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

03-27-2003, 06:03 PM	#11
84Stepper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Edmond, Oklahoma Posts: 425	Well guys I got it out a couple minutes ago!!! I cut the rubber boot and dried all the grease off and stuck a pipe wrench on there and unscrewed the nut. So im happy as heck right now. Im gunna try to finish it up tonight if I have time but I doubt it. Thanks for all the help guys! __________________ 84 Chevy Stepside, 350, TH350, 268h Comp cam, Hooker headers, MSD Pro Billet, Edelbrock Performer manifold and 1604 carb, 40 Series Flowmasters dumped, and Western Chassis 3/5 drop w/ c notch. New 3:73 Eaton Posi

03-27-2003, 06:20 PM	#12
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,499	'84, Thanks for letting us know how it went and I am glad you finally got it.



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