Lower ball joint stud spinning - need ideas

[rgunlock]

I'm replacing all the ball joints on a Dana 44 front axle for my 78 GMC K15. I've already pressed the new ball joints into the steering knuckles and have one of the knuckles installed onto the "C" and had no problems. Then I went to install the other side. Ran the new nut down on the lower ball joint stud. It went down freely so I don't think it cross threaded. Unfortunately I could only get the nut down nearly flush with the end of the stud and then the stud turns with the nut.

My Chilton's manual tells me to first tighten the lower ball joint nut to 70 ft lbs. Then thread on the spanner nut and tighten to 50 ft lbs with the special tool, then put on the castle nut for the upper ball joint and tighten to 100+ ft lbs until the cotter pin can line up. The first side went on just like this and no issue at all.

Lower stud is just spinning in the pressed in housing and at this point I can't get it to either tighten or come back off. I tried installing the spanner nut and castle nut on top to pull the lower up and snug - didn't help. I've tried inserting the end of a crowbar into the steering knuckle and prying against the "C" thinking to put some tension on the stud but this hasn't worked yet either.

Anybody else had this problem and come up with a solution?

[rgunlock]

Here's the offending ball joint and nut. I've also tried sticking a pickle fork in there but can't really get it far enough in the knuckle to get any leverage.

[Sabaka454]

Squeeze the knuckle with a pair of large channel locks and zip the nut down tight.

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by Sabaka454

Squeeze the knuckle with a pair of large channel locks and zip the nut down tight.

By "knuckle" are you talking about where the grease boot is? Maybe I can get under or over it without tearing it up too bad.

[zach_carver]

I use a impact when they spin and a lot of times it will catch and pull tight.

[kwmech]

If you don't have an impact, put your floor jack under the knuckle to help the tapers lock together as you tighten.



Edit: never mind, I see it is not in the vehicle.

Is that on the correct side?

[rgunlock]

Yes, it is the correct side. You are looking at the passenger side. The other knuckle has the 3 studs for the steering arm. Mounting the axle onto the vehicle is an option - I just have a little more room to work with it where its at.

Sounds like I'll be going into town today for a new impact wrench. I'm not sure that the one I have lasted even 3 uses before crapping out. It was a gift purchased at a well known purveyor of tools imported from the far east

[rgunlock]

Just to wrap this up, I did get a decent impact wrench - not sure how I've lived without one! - but the stud continued to spin when I used it. I did mount the axle onto the truck and after removing the lower grease zerk I jacked up against the bottom of the knuckle until the weight of the truck was on that joint but the stud still spun.

I was finally able to get it to tighten by using a small pair of needle nose vice grips at the top of the grease boot just under the "C" and I don't believe that it did any damage.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Ski-me]

Glad you got it tightened! I was also going to suggest putting a jack on the bottom side of ball joint and force it into the hole tighter. I would of thought that would lock it in, but it sounds like it didn't for some reason.