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Ball joint bolt please help!
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:24 pm
by Codhead
I am in the process of removing my front suspension legs to fit new springs, everything was going fine until I attempted to undo the ball joint nut. The whole of the nut and bolt are turning and I can't get the nut off. I have tried lowering the wishbone onto an axle stand to try and tighten up the bolt but it is still turning. Am I doing something wrong.
Cheers
Re: Ball joint bolt please help!
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:36 pm
by jbh
these can be a complete ball ache to get off at times you say you've tried lowering it on to an axle stand.. was this right underneath the ball joint? I've managed to get a few by jacking them under there and using a hammer to give it a jolt. also if you look at the top of the ball joint there should be an Allen key hole try doing it with a spanner with an Allen key jammed in to stop it turning. also worth putting some heat on it.. failing that I've seen me cutting the f@ckin things with a grinder but that's a last resort

Re: Ball joint bolt please help!
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:56 pm
by eko
Trolley jack right under the ball joint,few cracks with the hammer on the sides then wind the nut back on.Slap some grease or WD on the thread and try again.
Can be a bastard to do though I agree

Re: Ball joint bolt please help!
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:59 pm
by kevo
you could also use a nut splitter if you can't undo it, but make sure you have a spare nut to hand as they're metric fine thread i think they're M10 x 1.25mm off hand but they're not a normal m10 thread anyway. another way is to try and tighten it back up as sometimes you can go one way then clean the threads up if you can before undoing it again. alternatively know anyone with an impact wrench?
Kev
Re: Ball joint bolt please help!
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:01 pm
by Simon13
And if all of the above fails a heat gun will be your friend. Never failed me
Re: Ball joint bolt please help!
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:23 pm
by Codhead
Cheers
lads I've split the nut and got it off but thanks for the advice
Re: Ball joint bolt please help!
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:37 pm
by maggspower
These can be PITA, and like kevo said they are a very fine thread (m10x1.0mm) BMW keep them in stock, just go straight to them, dont waste time looking elsewhere like I did
