34 replies to this topic

[Carlos W]

Get the tracking checked after, it should be less than 30 quid and tracking that's out will cause premature tyre wear!

See if the place that's doing the mot can do it and how much they'll charge

[mattbeddow]

I think quickfit charged £25 last time i looked, standard charge is usually half hours labour

[mattbeddow]

I had the same spinning problem, i hit the ball joint in with a hammer and it held it tight, probably not the right thing to do though

[Pelvisgt]

Just gonna buy new ones as are £11 a set, but the locking but will not come off as the part it's stuck on is the steering rack and just rotates.

If I clicked the steering lock in place would that help ? As I've tried using those mole grips that clamp but still not enough.

Gonna keep soaking it

[Ethel]

Steering lock will do nothing, there's another ball socket under the rubber boot you are trying to chance. Find something (a smaller nut?) to put inside the old ball joint. It'll then leave a gap between the locknut if you refit, so you can hold the ball joint and wind the nut towards it.

Just make sure you have enough thread engagement in the joint so you don't strip them.

[Pelvisgt]

Yeah I've got the old gatior off and it's that ball joint the locking nut is stuck too

[Ethel]

Are we talking about the nut that tightens against the outer BJ that fits into the steering arm? If so, my tip stands.

[Carlos W]

No, he's talking about the locking nut that holds the tracking set! (I Think)

[Pelvisgt]

Carlos is right,

I could try cutting it off if all else fails

[Carlos W]

put another 2 nuts on the bar locked together, then you can hold them and turn the one that's stuck!

Plenty of penetrating fluid will help and maybe a bit of heat

[Ethel]

No, he's talking about the locking nut that holds the tracking set! (I Think)

The same thing then - locking 2 nuts is ok if leaves enough room - my suggestion is similar: screwing the end in a blind hole.

[Pelvisgt]

Had another go but no joy so I've got a new locking but and will try that against the old one and put it all back together and try again,


The ball joint that's being a bugger are they expensive or hard to fit because could try and just get it out and replace ?

[Pelvisgt]

Just tried to change the other track rod end and it won't come out from the hub !!

curse my life haha

Tried jacking the hub up as thought that might break the seal but no, been hitting it with a hammer but no luck

[Ethel]

If you're trying to remove the steering ball joint (aka. track rod end) from the steering arm you want a ball joint splitter - scissor type is best

Track rod end = GSJ1106



If I still haven't made myself clear enough, put something inside the hollow end of 2. so it stops it screwing on to the rod as far as 1. Pick something that will fall out easily if you want to reuse the rod end.

Though gripping the rod with mole grips is usually sufficient to unscrew the lock nut.

[freshairmini]

+1 on the mole grips. I had the same problem when changing the suspension parts. Used a mole grip, gripped to the steering arm and just kept at it. Plus gas is good for loosening rusty nuts. Its a kind of penetrating fluid, comes in a spray can.

Also if you find the ball joint pin spins, use a jack under it to push it all together and hold in tight.

HTH