Need help with UCA Install?

[bjtheman427]

I must first say, damn you ball joints! Aside from that, I'm currently halfway through installing my upper control arms. Got one down but stuck on the other one. Here's my dilema:

The ball joint nut barely moved before spinning freely which it now will only do. I cannot get it off for the likes of me. I've tried using an impact and that didn't
work either. I'd cut it off but there's not enough bolt showing to get the blade in there ( I had to cut the other one off too but it was halfway off).

Wtf can I do? This has taken me ALOT longer than I had hoped.

:thumbdwn:

 

[Mr Dubya]

Is the nut spinning freely around the bolt, or is the bolt spinning with the nut?

If the bolt is spinning freely, these are my two midnight ideas:

1) Weld something on the lower part of the bolt so that as the bolt and nut spin, it catches on the knuckle and gives you torque.

2) Use a kind of cutoff tool to flatted two sizes of the bottom half of the bolt, then use vice-grips and crank down tight. Let the bolt spin until the grips catch on the knuckle.

And once you have a sliver of bolt above the nut exposed, cut it off.



-Dubya

 

[EXPLORER04]

Use a small wrench on the ball joint stud to hold it while turning the nut. It is pictured in this thread, hope it helps
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249135

 

[bjtheman427]

Use a small wrench on the ball joint stud to hold it while turning the nut. It is pictured in this thread, hope it helps
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249135

That was one of the first things I tried but the bottom of the bolt was stripping.

I ended up using my reciprocating saw and cut a majority of it off, then with the arm puller it popped the rest out. Still a huge pita!

At least now they are both done. Plus, changed out my end links a few weeks ago along with new stabilizer bar bushings.

 

[bjtheman427]

Is the nut spinning freely around the bolt, or is the bolt spinning with the nut?

If the bolt is spinning freely, these are my two midnight ideas:

1) Weld something on the lower part of the bolt so that as the bolt and nut spin, it catches on the knuckle and gives you torque.

2) Use a kind of cutoff tool to flatted two sizes of the bottom half of the bolt, then use vice-grips and crank down tight. Let the bolt spin until the grips catch on the knuckle.

And once you have a sliver of bolt above the nut exposed, cut it off.



-Dubya

The bolt was spinning freely, the nut didn't want to move at all.
Well, I don't have any welding tools so had to rule that one out. Didn't get a chance to try #2, just got so pissed attacked it with the reciprocating saw and that was enough to get it done.

Thanks for the help guys!