Track rod end ball joint bolt turning when trying to remove - is it f**ked?

[Sami]

As above, was a b*tch to get off as the bolt coming out of the ball joint was turning like a b*tch took me like 40 mins to get it off! Is this meant to happen or am I missing something :S

 

[G_F]

I changed the trackrod not long ago >>

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=145772

I know what you mean by not being able to get the nut back on, wasnt a problem for me as i was changing it, but all i can tell you is the new one i put on never spun, i assume i fucked it up by using the ball joint splitter incorrectly..

 

[donsrno1]

It's quite a common problem, but I'm not sure if it means it needs replaced or not tbh.

 

[G_F]

I dont know if it needs to be replaced either, but if it does the new Track Rod cost me 25notes.

 

[Sami]

Well the ball joint itself looks ok the rubber isn't split and i cant be assed with forking out and fitting a new one how can I fit it back together then without it spinning again? :S

 

[tidyclio]

if you mean the nut that holds the track rod end onto the hub it should turn mate.they can be a pain to get of especially as their should be locking nuts on them.easiest way to get it on or off is to put a jack under the ball at the bottom jack it up and bit to put some pressure on it and it should hold it still

 

[G_F]

Wont that split the gaiter though?

 

[tidyclio]

no as you'll find that the balljoint will only go so far into the hub then stop so the gaiter won't be under any pressure.if you look at the bottom of the track rod end whilel it's spinning you'll see the inside is the actual ball joint and the casing is the track rod end so by putting a jack on the balljoint the pressure should stop it spinning

 

[G_F]

Ahhh...

 

[Sami]

I tried that but I had the springs compressed at the time and the car quite high on axel stands so my jack couldnt reach high enough to put any real pressure on it but good to know it isn't broken I'll have to lower it a bit and try again, cheers!

 

[InsaneManiac]

I had to do the same but with 2 tonnes of tractor on the baljoint as m grandad hit it in the wrong place with the hammer. I use i hammer instead of a ball joint splitter works just aswell and you do not have to go and buy a special tool.
Matt

 

[G_F]

I had to do the same but with 2 tonnes of tractor on the baljoint as m grandad hit it in the wrong place with the hammer. I use i hammer instead of a ball joint splitter works just aswell and you do not have to go and buy a special tool.
Matt

Yeah but you risk f**king up the top of the nut, which might mean you lose the thread, hence why they make a tool for it..

 

[Sami]

I got a ball joint splitter but didnt need it as the balljoint just fell straight out, it was just getting the nut off that was the problem!!

 

[RSi Dave]

as someone mentioned to stop it spinning but a jack underneath it and jack it up... should stop spinning

 

[Sami]

Yup all sorted now cheers guys! Took me least an hour to line the springs back up though as I'd used spring compressors and the ends of the springs had come out of their little resting places