ball joint question
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Freshman User
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ball joint question
On my 93 f250 I got the knuckle back on and the ball joints tightened down. But I have a problem. With the nut tightened down on the bottom ball joint. When I turn the knuckle the nut and ball joint spins. The top is fine but the bottom spins. Did I not go tight enough. Torqued it down to 110. I watched some videos but the problem in those videos is the nut not getting tighter cuz the whole ball joint spins.. Any help would be appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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Just to be clear, the "cup" of the ball joint is pressed into position and does not spin at all. The spindle rotates inside the cup as the wheel is turned.
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Freshman User
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I know the cup doesn't spin. But I thought with the cup pressed in and the rod tightened down to the axle. Its like the bolt is stuck in the cup.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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Ok now we are getting somewhere. The cup AND the stem are press fit in their housings. The stem should not spin independently from the knuckle...if tightening the nut doesn't solve it (without overtightening) then you probably have the wrong ball joint. If it's at 100 lbs already, and the stem spins in the knuckle, then you have a problem which is most likely the wrong BJ.
The only thing that's supposed to move is the stem inside the cup....or the "ball inside the socket"
The only thing that's supposed to move is the stem inside the cup....or the "ball inside the socket"
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Yes. If the ball joint stud spins with the nut while tightening it us not tight enough. The new nut is a locknut and they are sometimes so tight that you just spin the shaft with the nut. I use an impact wrench with a swivel socket. If you are hand wrenching you will need to jack up on the knuckle toforce the taper of the stud into the hole to keep it from spinning. You can re use the old nut if you cant get the new one to tighten down
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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You need to confirm that you have the right joint. If the stem is too small you'll be pulling the ball out of the socket which could be disastrous.
Also most joints have an allan key on the head of the stem so you can use an allan to hold stem and a box wrench yo tighten nut. Some just have a slit for a flat head.
Also most joints have an allan key on the head of the stem so you can use an allan to hold stem and a box wrench yo tighten nut. Some just have a slit for a flat head.