problem installing lower ball joint

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Jun 3, 2020 | 02:04 PM

sunbelt57

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Joined: Jul 2011

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problem installing lower ball joint

I'm installing new ball joints on my 77 F150 RWD - the passenger side went ok but on the driver's side, my 1st mistake was I forgot to put the boot on. My 2nd mistake was trying to take the spindle off. The ball joint studs ended up turning with the nuts so I couldn't tighten up the ball joints. I tried to hold the stud from underneath with some plyers, but that didn't work. I did manage to get the top one tight after hitting the spindle from underneath with a hammer, but the bottom 1-1/8 nut won't tighten up or come off. I will try to fill it with grease to see if that makes a difference, then, I'll try to weld on a piece of rebar or something on the top of the stud to hold it long enough to tighten up on the nut.

P.S. I cut the boot and slid it around, thinking I could glue it together just enough to keep most of the grease from coming out or dust coming in.

Jun 3, 2020 | 02:52 PM

dlburch

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 2,313

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From: Kansas

is there room the get a c-clamp on there to put some pressure on until you get the nut off to replace the boot? if not, how about a pair of large water pump pliers to put pressure on there...

Jun 3, 2020 | 03:35 PM

caravaggio2000

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Joined: Apr 2018

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I put a jack under it and jacked it up so there is a lot of weight on it.