When installing the lower ball joint on my 84 F-150 4.9 liter 2wheel drive automatic. The new ball joint has a locking nut. Is there a special tool to hold the ball joint in place while you are initially tightening the nut. The ball joint turns and the nut is an interference fit to the stud. There is a slot in the end of the ball joint stud but i have no tools that will fit in it.
Someone must know a clever way to get this nut started.

 

If you have a bottle jack/floorjack, remove the grease fitting, place the jack under the lower balljoint and raise the jack with enough force that will hold the joint solid. That should let you tighten it up.

Bob

 

Thanks I will give it a try

 

Great tip! Last night I replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the right side and used the bottle jack to hold the carrier up in place while I tightened the nut. Last week I messed with the Left side for two hours trying to get that nut tight last night it took two minutes. Thanks