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Ball Joint Tool

schnid21

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schnid21 Enthusiast

schnid21

Posted
Posted

Hi all

 

Hope someone could help me out with something. I just got some new moog lower balljoints for my truck. Currently waiting on a few more parts and will then be starting on repairs.

 

My question is about torquing on the castle nut. Typically all the ball joints I have seen either have flats at the bottom for a wrench or a cavity for an Allen wrench to prevent the tapered shaft from turning when tightening the castle nut. The new units I got have a slot. It's about an 1/8" wide by 3/8" long and about 1/8" deep. I have never seen this and was wondering what tool people have used to hold this from rotating. It looks like I need a really fat flat screw driver. I can post a pic tomorrow but hopefully someone understands what I'm talking about.

 

Let me know what tool you recommend and thanks for the info.

 

Jason

txab Senior Enthusiast

txab

Posted
Posted

I've never had a problem tightening them before. Once the tapers seated, there was enough friction to keep them from turning.

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

You can make a nice makeshift tool by clamping a properly sized metal washer in a pair of vice grips. This will give you a lot more leverage than a flat bladed screwdriver.

HawkScot Enthusiast

HawkScot

Posted
Posted

I have a large 1/2" drive socket that is not really a socket but a rather large flat blade screw driver that goes on the 1/2" ratchet... I believe it is craftsman, perhaps Sears would have one (I got mine about 30 years ago when working as mechanic at Sears).

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

Another improvised tool you can make is taking an 8 inch long 1/2 inch diameter bolt threaded at the end and tightening a properly sized washer between two nuts on the end of the bolt. You insert the washer into the slot and the long bolt gives you plenty of leverage.

 

But I like the flat screwdriver socket even better if you can buy one. I believe that Snap-on also offers such a socket.

schnid21 Enthusiast

schnid21

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for all the tips. That looks like the right tool. But I will likely try the washer trick. Should hold it enough for the taper to grab

 

Thanks again

 

Jason

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