Ball Joint Nut Question.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Florida
Ball Joint Nut Question.
Does anybody happen to know off-hand what size the upper and lower ball joint nuts are on a D44 TTB front axle? The ones that were on my old steering knuckles were different than all of the ones in the junkyard. My 1-1/4" wrench won't come close to fitting, and I need to know the size so I can go out and buy new tools. 
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I don't have a socket to fit the ball joint nuts, so can't tell you that way. So, into measuring mode.
I measure the nuts on the top ball joints on Dad's '81 to be 1.325 - 1.330" across the flats, and that's measuring the nuts on both sides of the truck. My sockets measure ~.013" larger across the flats than they are stamped, meaning that a 1" socket measures 1.013". So, that means that a 1 5/16" socket should measure ~1.326" and, in theory, fit very, very snugly. So, I don't think that is the size.
But, 34MM is 1.339", so I'm betting they are 34MM.
I measure the nuts on the top ball joints on Dad's '81 to be 1.325 - 1.330" across the flats, and that's measuring the nuts on both sides of the truck. My sockets measure ~.013" larger across the flats than they are stamped, meaning that a 1" socket measures 1.013". So, that means that a 1 5/16" socket should measure ~1.326" and, in theory, fit very, very snugly. So, I don't think that is the size.
But, 34MM is 1.339", so I'm betting they are 34MM.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Florida
Thanks guys for trying to help me figure this out. I don't want to spend big bucks on a giant wrench or socket set that I'll barely use, so I'm hoping to just buy one socket or one wrench and be on my way.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
This guy says a 35MM socket was loose on the nut for his '97 F250.
Somewhere else on FTE I found a guy that said the nut size for later trucks is 34MM, but I can't find it again.
Have you checked with an auto parts house to see if they have a ball-joint kit? Many do and it might inc the socket. You can borrow it for free if returned w/i a day or two depending on the store.
Somewhere else on FTE I found a guy that said the nut size for later trucks is 34MM, but I can't find it again.
Have you checked with an auto parts house to see if they have a ball-joint kit? Many do and it might inc the socket. You can borrow it for free if returned w/i a day or two depending on the store.
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Brett Foote
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From: Connecticut
I didn't have enough time last night to jack the truck up, pull the cotter pin, and see what fit, but a nut I [I]think[I] belongs to the lower ball joint was sitting on my bench. I dropped it into a few sockets, and 1 1/8 fit like a glove.
That would put the nut somewhere about 1.125" which is not even close to what Gary measured.
One consideration is that OEM ball joints (and the replacements I got) are Dana-Spicer. Other companies may supply different size nuts. Which kind did you get to replace them? The guys on Go-Fast-Bronco swear by the premium NAPA greasables, but they are $102 per side.
Is the truck drivable? If so, take a trip with your jack to a local hardware store, grab a few sockets off the rack, take them outside and see what fits. Many stores are totally understanding of that so long as you speak to someone ahead of time, and you aren't going to damage something your not buying.
That would put the nut somewhere about 1.125" which is not even close to what Gary measured.
One consideration is that OEM ball joints (and the replacements I got) are Dana-Spicer. Other companies may supply different size nuts. Which kind did you get to replace them? The guys on Go-Fast-Bronco swear by the premium NAPA greasables, but they are $102 per side.
Is the truck drivable? If so, take a trip with your jack to a local hardware store, grab a few sockets off the rack, take them outside and see what fits. Many stores are totally understanding of that so long as you speak to someone ahead of time, and you aren't going to damage something your not buying.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Florida
Thanks for the suggestions guys!
My old steering knuckles had smaller nut diameters than what I expected, so my 1-1/4 took them off easily.
The new knuckles are coming off of a truck in the junkyard, unless the ball joint shafts start to spin. Whatever nut is on the upper ball joints is one or two sizes bigger than my 1-1/4.
My old steering knuckles had smaller nut diameters than what I expected, so my 1-1/4 took them off easily.
The new knuckles are coming off of a truck in the junkyard, unless the ball joint shafts start to spin. Whatever nut is on the upper ball joints is one or two sizes bigger than my 1-1/4.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Orlando area
I'm going to be pulling the camber bushings soon so this posting was well timed. My plan is to fix my camber problem (since my lift 10 years ago) which is about (??) 1-1/2 degrees positive. I have ordered two adjustable camber bushings and one of the magnetic-base camber gauges. Hopefully the gauge is good enough to get me around 0 degrees camber - or else I'll take to truck alignment shop. But at least I'll have removed the 30 year old camber bushing in there now to make it easier on the alignment guy (as OP is doing). I've going to continue giving the bushings a daily shot of PB Blaster until my parts arive - maybe this weekend.
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Logistics Pro
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From: Florida
PB blaster is definitely key, or else that ball joint stud will break free, and then it just gets even more fun.
I think it's safe to say 1-5/16 would be a good bet. I may have just found an old ball joint nut in my box-o-D44&D50-parts, and it looks to be exactly like the ones on the donor truck. I'll take it with me that way I can confirm that I'm getting the right socket or wrench.
I think it's safe to say 1-5/16 would be a good bet. I may have just found an old ball joint nut in my box-o-D44&D50-parts, and it looks to be exactly like the ones on the donor truck. I'll take it with me that way I can confirm that I'm getting the right socket or wrench.
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