1962 lower ball joint

[CC's 62]

Anybody have any ideas on how to remove the castle nut off the lower ball joint when the ball joint turns with the nut? The upper control arm is already off and the castle nut on bottom has been backed off some but in the process of breaking it all loose the nut has gotten stuck and now the ball joint and nut both turn together.

[bhap]

Cut the boot off and put a pair of vice grips or a pipe wrench on the shaft - assuming of course that you are replacing the ball joints. If you can tighten it, do that and hit the threads with a wire brush and some PB Blaster. Good luck!

[CC's 62]

Originally Posted by bhap

Cut the boot off and put a pair of vice grips or a pipe wrench on the shaft - assuming of course that you are replacing the ball joints. If you can tighten it, do that and hit the threads with a wire brush and some PB Blaster. Good luck!

I wasn't planning on replacing the ball joints so I would prefer not to cut the boot off but if that's my only option then ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Thanks for the help.

[Jeffh]

Originally Posted by CC's 62

I wasn't planning on replacing the ball joints so I would prefer not to cut the boot off but if that's my only option then ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Thanks for the help.

Posted via Mobile Device

[Jeffh]

Use a nut splitter then buy a new nut. You can probably pick one up at a hardware store where they have all the trays full of misc hardware.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I wonder if the shaft is buggered from someone "breaking it loose". That lower ball joint is rare & expensive.
George

[Jeffh]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

I wonder if the shaft is buggered from someone "breaking it loose". That lower ball joint is rare & expensive.
George

I would agree. The top of the stud is probably buggered up from somebody beating on it, thats why the nut went so far then stopped. If I had it that far apart I would put ball joints in it anyway.