11 replies to this topic

[victorludorum]

I changed the gaiters on my 2000 mpi today. The passenger side was ok, but when I tried torquing the ball joint nut on the driver's side, my torque wrench didn't seem to be responding, even though I had the jack underneath and the shank wasn't spinning before I got the torque wrench out. I thought maybe the wrench wasn't working, but having tested it on the wheel nuts it seems fine. When I look at the nut on the ball joint, it seems to be further screwed on than it was before as the shank is showing a couple of shiny threads. Now when I try to undo it, the shank spins, even with the jack underneath it. I'm worried that it's been over-tightened and that maybe I should replace it, seeing that it's part of the steering.

 

Has anyone had this issue before? Are there any alternative methods for stopping the spin?

 

Cheers

 

[Homersimpson]

If you have all the weight of the car on it and it still spins then there a couple of things I would try on the basis that you are going to change the trackrod end:

 

1. Drill into the side of the nut as clost to the edges as you can and use a chisel to split it.

 

2. Hold the exposed thread with mole grips and see if you can loosen the nut enough to make a gap so you can hacksaw through the thread without damging the steering arm.

[victorludorum]

I wasn't planning on changing the track rod end, but maybe I should.

[panky]

If you have the scissor type splitter try putting it on upside down so it pulls the joint together. Was there a washer under the nut when you took it apart? If there was, and you left it off, that could be the reason for the shiny threads.

Edited by panky, 04 March 2023 - 05:02 PM.

[DeadSquare]

Google "Nut-splitter Tool", buy one, and remove the nut that way.

[stuart bowes]

sometimes a rattle-gun will do it, i think it just turns with such immediate force that the nut spins off before the shaft has a chance to turn, or something more technically accurate than that..  whatever, it can work sometimes

 

g-clamp it together tightly can also be an option sometimes

 

ususally on other cars there's either a star drive / allen key counter-hold in the end of the shaft, or the end of the shaft has flattened sides

 

you could do that yourself with a power file, make two flat sides right at the top just wide enough for grips

Edited by stuart bowes, 04 March 2023 - 08:34 PM.

[victorludorum]

I can't understand how the torque wrench has overtightened it. It's very odd!

 

Cheers for all the input, I appreciate it

[weef]

Ultimately if the taper is still spinning after trying all the above methods the joint will will need to be replaced. Bite the bullet, cut the nut off and fit a new joint ensuring that the steering arm taper is not damaged. 

[andyapanel]

Try some heat on the nut, being careful of course. 

Good luck

[victorludorum]

I tried a few things today, but no dice, so I'm going to order a pair of track rod ends tomorrow and replace them.

 

Cheers for all the input, chaps

[victorludorum]

Track rod ends replaced and all is well! Thanks for all the input, chaps

[DeadSquare]

Track rod ends replaced and all is well! Thanks for all the input, chaps

 

 

Splendid news.  Thank you for telling us.

 

Now just be careful how fast you go and where you park.