Ball Joint Orientation - Can I Spin Using Cotter Pin Hole?

Pushed my ball joints in based on where the zerk fitting was to have good access not realizing something perhaps more important, being able to get the cotter pin in.

Can I insert something like a small screw driver and spin it via the cotter pin hole to re-align it 45 degrees? Just don't wanna f*ck anything up lol - first time messing with these bad boys.

 

the ball joint moves while steering (it spins)...Yes you can spin it to whatever orientation you want.

who makes those LBJ's?

 

Yes. You can insert a punch or anything that will fit and spin it. Will not damage the joint.

 

Looks like Mevotech TTX. Can't speak for the Tacoma part, but I had them on my lifted Duramax and they proved to be quite durable.

 

That ball joint has a tapered pin and will not spin if you already tightened that castle nut. If that is the case you will have to drive the pin back out before you're able to re orient the hole.

 

Agreeing with this. Knock it out of the taper.

A cotter pin might just bend, like they’re designed to do. A round pin punch might work. If it doesn’t, use the double nut method. Put 2 nuts on fully engaged on the threads, not 1 on 1 half way on. Tighten the nuts together, don’t go crazy and over tighten, now you have something to put a wrench on to twist it to where you want it. Take the nuts off, make sure your castle nut goes on and off freely.

 

Thanks! As someone noted, they are Mevotech