Ball Joint Tool

[schnid21]

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]

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

[pm26]

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]

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]

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.

[flhusa1]

drag link socket set

 

maybe these are what you need?

[schnid21]

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