Help! Threads stripped... What to do?
Help! Threads stripped... What to do? I started in on installing my front Bilsteins and the 15mm castle nut holding the spindle just spins and spins and wont come off... The cotter pin came out easy...
What do I do!?
What do I do!?
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My guess is the latter, but I'll try to cover both here.
So long as the threads are okay, that's not a big deal. All that's happened is that the ball joint's taper/interference-fit broke loose from the spindle, thus allowing the ball joint to spin freely before you got a chance to remove the nut.
Easiest option is to try to re-wedge the ball joint's taper-fit into the spindle -- in order to keep it from spinning when you try to remove the nut again. Few ways of doing that:
Option 1) If you used something like PB Blaster, clean it off with brake parts cleaner, then try to tighten the balljoint nut (if you can) to reseat the ball joint taper/interference-fit into the spindle. The balljoint shouldn't spin once it's wedged, so you can then use an impact gun to remove the nut. Then use a hammer to pop the taper joint loose again. (Pickle forks tend to damage the boot on the ball joint -- don't recommend doing that unless you're replacing the balljoint.)
Option 2) If that doesn't work, try having someone else pry the ball joint/a-arm back down towards the spindle, or jack the spindle assembly up towards the A-arm with a hydraulic jack to try to wedge the taper fit (hit the upper a-arm with a hammer if it helps seat the balljoint in the spindle), then try the same as #1.
Option 3) As a last resort (or if the threads are indeed stripped), you could cut the nut or stud off the ball joint with an angle grinder or nut splitter, and then go get a new nut / ball joint / rent a ball joint press from the autoparts store. Might need a pair of snap-ring pliers as well. If the balljoint is spinning really loosely right now, it might need replaced anyway. [EDIT] I'm assuming the upper ball joint is replaceable -- I've never replaced one on an fbody. Sometimes the upper a-arm and balljoint are one piece and require a whole new upper A-arm to replace the ball joint.
I'm not a suspension expert, so perhaps someone else has a better method. Sorry if any of this is unclear -- the lingo gets a little convoluted when you try to explain it.
So long as the threads are okay, that's not a big deal. All that's happened is that the ball joint's taper/interference-fit broke loose from the spindle, thus allowing the ball joint to spin freely before you got a chance to remove the nut.
Easiest option is to try to re-wedge the ball joint's taper-fit into the spindle -- in order to keep it from spinning when you try to remove the nut again. Few ways of doing that:
Option 1) If you used something like PB Blaster, clean it off with brake parts cleaner, then try to tighten the balljoint nut (if you can) to reseat the ball joint taper/interference-fit into the spindle. The balljoint shouldn't spin once it's wedged, so you can then use an impact gun to remove the nut. Then use a hammer to pop the taper joint loose again. (Pickle forks tend to damage the boot on the ball joint -- don't recommend doing that unless you're replacing the balljoint.)
Option 2) If that doesn't work, try having someone else pry the ball joint/a-arm back down towards the spindle, or jack the spindle assembly up towards the A-arm with a hydraulic jack to try to wedge the taper fit (hit the upper a-arm with a hammer if it helps seat the balljoint in the spindle), then try the same as #1.
Option 3) As a last resort (or if the threads are indeed stripped), you could cut the nut or stud off the ball joint with an angle grinder or nut splitter, and then go get a new nut / ball joint / rent a ball joint press from the autoparts store. Might need a pair of snap-ring pliers as well. If the balljoint is spinning really loosely right now, it might need replaced anyway. [EDIT] I'm assuming the upper ball joint is replaceable -- I've never replaced one on an fbody. Sometimes the upper a-arm and balljoint are one piece and require a whole new upper A-arm to replace the ball joint.
Last edited by Alex94TAGT; Jan 29, 2012 at 04:19 AM.
The nut is just spinning, not the shaft. I've tried prying down on the nut then loosening it and nothing is working.. tried the impact, by hand, nothing...
So I'm guessing I'm going to need to cut it and get a new upper ball joint? It's pressed/riveted into the A-arm though.... is it going to be a huge PITA to do or do I have any other options?
So I'm guessing I'm going to need to cut it and get a new upper ball joint? It's pressed/riveted into the A-arm though.... is it going to be a huge PITA to do or do I have any other options?
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Its easy, standard procedure for camaros, blazers, etc is to cut or drill the rivets, the new upper balljoint comes with bolts to replace them.
It looks like you will also have to cut the shaft though, or use an air hammer to chisel the nut in half.
It looks like you will also have to cut the shaft though, or use an air hammer to chisel the nut in half.
Thanks guys... yeah I've tried everything, I did try the impact gun putting side load on it, bending all angles while it just spins..
I guess I'm just going to get new upper ball joints... hell I'm going to freshen the whole front end up while I'm in there. I just ordered new Raybestos inner and outer tie rods, and upper and lower ball joints, all greasable. I also decided to buy new coil spring insulators and seats, and I have some newer strut mounts off a parts car I can use. I might as well do it all at once since I'm putting in the Bilsteins and BMR lowering springs, so I can totally freshen everything up with new parts and just have the alignment be a one-time thing.
I'm debating on getting new upper and lower control arm bushings.. anyone have any advice on this? I've never done it and don't know how hard it will be. I wonder if Polyurethane will be a good choice or if I should just get new rubber ones... or if I should just skip it all together if it's going to be a PITA.
I guess I'm just going to get new upper ball joints... hell I'm going to freshen the whole front end up while I'm in there. I just ordered new Raybestos inner and outer tie rods, and upper and lower ball joints, all greasable. I also decided to buy new coil spring insulators and seats, and I have some newer strut mounts off a parts car I can use. I might as well do it all at once since I'm putting in the Bilsteins and BMR lowering springs, so I can totally freshen everything up with new parts and just have the alignment be a one-time thing.
I'm debating on getting new upper and lower control arm bushings.. anyone have any advice on this? I've never done it and don't know how hard it will be. I wonder if Polyurethane will be a good choice or if I should just get new rubber ones... or if I should just skip it all together if it's going to be a PITA.
