Upper A arm locknut

[jja]

So I am replacing the front upper A arm. I unscrewed the locknut at the balljoint till it had only a couple of threads left before coming out (so that it doesn't let the A arm thrash around when the ball joint comes out) and then I popped the ball joint out.

So then the balljoint could rotate freely and I couldn't get the locknut out. Hence I used a 10mm 5-point flare wrench to hold the lower end of the balljoint bolt. Unscrewing the locknut, though, took so much effort that I just rounded the bolt off. On my next attempt the flare wrench broke in pieces.

I really can't figure out why the locknut got stuck like this. There are barely a couple of threads left and it was moving perfectly fine up to this point. Is there something special about unscrewing these?

 

[rjkj2005]

Should have taken the nut all the way off before popping it loose from the spindle. Jack the spindle backup till the hole weight of the vehicle is back on the ball joint that should press it back in so you can get the nut off. Or get a grinder and cut the ball joint stud off.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[tommudd]

^^^^^ Like he stated remove completely, dirt, crap gets on the threads and makes them hardto get off
By removing it completely then running it back on it will come off easily after you pop the ball joint loose
You can also put a bar over top of the UCA through the spring and pry down, most times that helps as well

 

[jja]

I ended up using the ball joint removal clamp in reverse. I used it to push the ball joint back in and thus the taper prevented the bolt from rotating and I was able to apply more force and unscrew the locknut.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I ended up using the ball joint removal clamp in reverse. I used it to push the ball joint back in and thus the taper prevented the bolt from rotating and I was able to apply more force and unscrew the locknut.

Great idea - well done! :waytogo:



Bob

 

[jja]

Great idea - well done! :waytogo:



Bob

I literally shook my own hand after that worked out. There are no power outlets where I did this repair so using a grinder was not an option. Worst case I'd have had to use a hacksaw to cut the ball joint prison break style

 

[tommudd]

I literally shook my own hand after that worked out. There are no power outlets where I did this repair so using a grinder was not an option. Worst case I'd have had to use a hacksaw to cut the ball joint prison break style

At least the dogs wouldn't be chasing you like the last time I had to do that , well ah ya know........................:Bye: