Ball joint castle nut removal

[Kushneap]

Ok guys see if you can follow me here.

Lower ball joint castle nut off. Upper castle nut 3/4 off but now the ball joint stud is spinning with the castle nut so I can’t get it off.

2 questions. Remedy for this and maybe more importantly what does that say about my ball joints if anything.

I tried channels locks on the upper part of the exposed ball joint stud but that didn’t work.

Any ideas

Thanks

 

[mrblaine]

Ok guys see if you can follow me here.

Lower ball joint castle nut off. Upper castle nut 3/4 off but now the ball joint stud is spinning with the castle nut so I can’t get it off.

2 questions. Remedy for this and maybe more importantly what does that say about my ball joints if anything.

I tried channels locks on the upper part of the exposed ball joint stud but that didn’t work.

Any ideas

Thanks

Tighten the nut back down, that will suck the taper pin back in and lock it down again.

 

[Kushneap]

Tighten the nut back down, that will suck the taper pin back in and lock it down again.

I tried it spins the whole thing as well
Bottom and top. I’m unable to tighten for the same reason I can’t loosen

 

[macleanflood]

Unless you're trying to take it apart?

-Mac

 

[Kushneap]

Unless you're trying to take it apart?

-Mac

Yes trying to take knuckle off

 

[mrblaine]

I tried it spins the whole thing as well
Bottom and top. I’m unable to tighten for the same reason I can’t loosen

Are you saying that the stud turned as soon as you loosened the nut?

 

[Morks]

I had the same issue because my top ball joint was so far gone. I cleaned up the threads a bit and was able to put a finger on the tapered portion and sping the nut by hand. Could try some needle nose vice grips etc...

edit: Took a second to read it and see you are able to get channel locks on it. Clean up those threads and hopefully you can get it by hand.

 

[Kushneap]

Are you saying that the stud turned as soon as you loosened the nut?

Initially no. I was able to get the bottom castle nut off completely and the top 3/4
It wasn’t till the bottom was off that I had an issue. I couldn’t get the knuckle to move downward at all (even with the top castle nut 3/4 off)

Now the top and bottom castle nuts will not tighten without the studs moving as well.

As soon as I go to tighten or loosen either or the stud on the top and bottom rotate as well

 

[mrblaine]

Initially no. I was able to get the bottom castle nut off completely and the top 3/4
It wasn’t till the bottom was off that I had an issue. I couldn’t get the knuckle to move downward at all (even with the top castle nut 3/4 off)

Now the top and bottom castle nuts will not tighten without the studs moving as well.

As soon as I go to tighten or loosen either or the stud on the top and bottom rotate as well

If you can't get the tapers to lock back in, sounds like it is time to cut something.

 

[Kushneap]

If you can't get the tapers to lock back in, sounds like it is time to cut something.

Possibly yeah! I’m going to set my floor jack up under the bottom stud and press it up. Hopefully that will lock it in and I can remove the top.


Thanks for your help

 

[mrblaine]

Possibly yeah! I’m going to set my floor jack up under the bottom stud and press it up. Hopefully that will lock it in and I can remove the top.


Thanks for your help

That probably won't lock in the top one since it floats more than the lower can move upward.

What task are you trying to accomplish and how did you go about it? For reference, I never attempt to remove the knuckle off of the ball joints until I have both of the nuts off. Lots of folks like to leave a nut on to stop the knuckle from hitting the ground. The problem with that is unless they have been removed first, you don't actually know they will thread off of the studs.

 

[Foxhound67]

I'd say cut the Wile E. Coyote antics before an anvil falls on you, but out the grinder and cut the nut off

 

[Kushneap]

That probably won't lock in the top one since it floats more than the lower can move upward.

What task are you trying to accomplish and how did you go about it? For reference, I never attempt to remove the knuckle off of the ball joints until I have both of the nuts off. Lots of folks like to leave a nut on to stop the knuckle from hitting the ground. The problem with that is unless they have been removed first, you don't actually know they will thread off of the studs.

That’s exactly what happened and why I did it. Didn’t want the knuckle crashing to the floor so I left the top on a bit.

Right now I’m changing the axle u-joints and cleaning up the knuckle as it’s not in the best shape. Hence why I want to take it off. Soak it in CRC, re-paint etc.

Getting it off is something that I will accomplish lol

You’re right the floor jack was a fail

 

[mrblaine]

That’s exactly what happened and why I did it. Didn’t want the knuckle crashing to the floor so I left the top on a bit.

Right now I’m changing the axle u-joints and cleaning up the knuckle as it’s not in the best shape. Hence why I want to take it off. Soak it in CRC, re-paint etc.

Getting it off is something that I will accomplish lol

You’re right the floor jack was a fail

Now you're replacing the ball joints. Take a cut off disc on a grinder and carefully sneak it in between the top of the knuckle and the bottom of the inner C. If you have to damage the knuckle, they are easily replaced so do that in favor of cutting the inner C which is not so easily replaced. If you find yourself in need, I can round up some good knuckles out of the pile.

 

[Kushneap]

Now you're replacing the ball joints. Take a cut off disc on a grinder and carefully sneak it in between the top of the knuckle and the bottom of the inner C. If you have to damage the knuckle, they are easily replaced so do that in favor of cutting the inner C which is not so easily replaced. If you find yourself in need, I can round up some good knuckles out of the pile.

Basically cut off the stud that’s showing or cut the castle nut itself?

 

[Kushneap]

Now you're replacing the ball joints. Take a cut off disc on a grinder and carefully sneak it in between the top of the knuckle and the bottom of the inner C. If you have to damage the knuckle, they are easily replaced so do that in favor of cutting the inner C which is not so easily replaced. If you find yourself in need, I can round up some good knuckles out of the pile.

I got you. The ball joint stud on top the of the knuckle. Will do.
Any suggestion on a cutting disk best for it?

 

[mrblaine]

I got you. The ball joint stud on top the of the knuckle. Will do.
Any suggestion on a cutting disk best for it?

You aren't cutting that much, just the pin so most any disc for steel or ferrous metals should work. You may be able to get above the nut, I don't have one right in front of me to see if the knuckle will turn far enough. For sure you can get the bottom one that way, just not sure on the top one.

 

[Kushneap]

You aren't cutting that much, just the pin so most any disc for steel or ferrous metals should work. You may be able to get above the nut, I don't have one right in front of me to see if the knuckle will turn far enough. For sure you can get the bottom one that way, just not sure on the top one.

I think I’ll go here
More room than above the nut

 

[mrblaine]

I think I’ll go here
More room than above the nut

View attachment 453445

You sure you don't want some better knuckles?

 

[Kushneap]

You sure you don't want some better knuckles?

Lol. Let me see what I can do to restore them first, sorta a hobby for me.
If they turn out terrible, I’ll absolutely be in touch with you sir.

Thanks and I appreciate the help thus far.