Club 80-90 Forums

Hi. I am trying to undo the upper balljoint nut, which connects to the steering knuckle (to release the brake hose clamp so I can change the front discs), and I managed to free the nut and undo it half way but now the balljoint just keeps spinning.

Any tips on how to hold it in place please? Thanks.

T25 1.9DG 1985

An adjustable or C clamp can help but can be tricky.
Squeeze the knuckle to the control arm somehow and then turn the nut.
Tightening the nut first and cleaning the thread that sticks out might ease turning it loose all way.

Use a jack under the lower arm to jack up and compress ball joint back in. This may be enough to grip it and allow you to tighten nut up then really clean threads as above.

If that doesn't work, angle grinder with a thin blade and cut a slot in the top of ball joint to allow you to put a screwdriver or similar in to hold whilst undoing nut.

Cheers,

MM

ZsZ wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 19:27 An adjustable or C clamp can help but can be tricky.
Squeeze the knuckle to the control arm somehow and then turn the nut.
Tightening the nut first and cleaning the thread that sticks out might ease turning it loose all way.

I doubt I'd get a clamp on there, but I have tried jacking up the strut to compress the joint, as that's a technique which can often work on other cars, but it doesn't make a difference on these. I can't tighten the nut, as it is 'stuck' midway, therefore the joint just turns either way. But thanks anyway.

mm289 wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 20:14 Use a jack under the lower arm to jack up and compress ball joint back in. This may be enough to grip it and allow you to tighten nut up then really clean threads as above.

If that doesn't work, angle grinder with a thin blade and cut a slot in the top of ball joint to allow you to put a screwdriver or similar in to hold whilst undoing nut.

Cheers,

MM

I have tried the jack method, it doesn't work on these though, makes no difference. The visible top of the balljoint doesn't twist, besides I don't wish to wreck it as that will remain. Thanks anyway.
 

why not undo the two allen head bolts and remove ball joint from wishbone, then when you've done what you need to you and reassembled you will be able to drop the axle on it's wheel and have enough friction due to weight to do the nut back up again

Aidan wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 21:14 why not undo the two allen head bolts and remove ball joint from wishbone, then when you've done what you need to you and reassembled you will be able to drop the axle on it's wheel and have enough friction due to weight to do the nut back up again

Thanks, but that wouldn't work. I need the nut off to remove the brake line bracket. Besides, trying to undo those two rusted up siezed fixings would prove an equally 'fun' challenge!

Ahhh the joys of working on T25 and old seized nuts.
Days before any job plus gas is your friend.

Clean up the area first with a small wire brush.

There is normally a allen socket in the top to hold the bolt to prevent the joint spinning.

Failing that - time to get the grinder out.

pbar wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 21:01

ZsZ wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 19:27 An adjustable or C clamp can help but can be tricky.
Squeeze the knuckle to the control arm somehow and then turn the nut.
Tightening the nut first and cleaning the thread that sticks out might ease turning it loose all way.

I doubt I'd get a clamp on there, but I have tried jacking up the strut to compress the joint, as that's a technique which can often work on other cars, but it doesn't make a difference on these. I can't tighten the nut, as it is 'stuck' midway, therefore the joint just turns either way. But thanks anyway.

As it's turning either way, time to cut it off and replace it. They only cost around 12 quid each. Not worth fannying about with imo.

maxstu wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 21:48

pbar wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 21:01

ZsZ wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 19:27 An adjustable or C clamp can help but can be tricky.
Squeeze the knuckle to the control arm somehow and then turn the nut.
Tightening the nut first and cleaning the thread that sticks out might ease turning it loose all way.

I doubt I'd get a clamp on there, but I have tried jacking up the strut to compress the joint, as that's a technique which can often work on other cars, but it doesn't make a difference on these. I can't tighten the nut, as it is 'stuck' midway, therefore the joint just turns either way. But thanks anyway.

As it's turning either way, time to cut it off and replace it. They only cost around 12 quid each. Not worth fannying about with imo.

Exactly.

Thank you

maxstu wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 21:48
As it's turning either way, time to cut it off and replace it. They only cost around 12 quid each. Not worth fannying about with imo.

No, as said earlier, the fixings to the wishbone would also be corroded and siezed by the look of it which would bring other issues, I'd end up with a new van eventually! £12 is still £12, if you found it in the street you would pick it up wouldn't you and think it's your lucky week. Besides, I don't tend to like this kind of throwaway world mindset, I'd rather find a way to undo one nut rather than just give in.

It's common on fittings like this to have a six sided (allen key type) recess end-on of the bolt, to aid holding it whilst tightening. I've had a look and these seem to have it too (surprised no one knew about that), so I'm hoping that will allow enough purchase and hold for me as I work the nut loose.

Have a couple of other ideas too, will report back when I get it undone just in case it helps someone else at some point. Thanks again for the replies.

Never had the upper two bolts seized to a point they cannot be released with using sufficient lubricant, bit of heat and a good fitting allen socket or whatever neccessary tool.
As you wish.

pbar wrote: ↑06 Feb 2023, 22:37 It's common on fittings like this to have a six sided (allen key type) recess end-on of the bolt, to aid holding it whilst tightening. I've had a look and these seem to have it too (surprised no one knew about that), so I'm hoping that will allow enough purchase and hold for me as I work the nut loose.

Try posting photos next time.