HELP! Upper ball joint keeps turning?!

I'm trying to get my lift all done up, but the upper ball joint where the castle nut goes keeps turning?! Is there a way to hold it in place enough to do it up and install the pin? Please help as I'm running out of sunlight.

 

just have somebody hold down the UCA pushing downwards to the spindle should help you

 

put some pressure down on the UCA to connect it with the spindle, make sure you torque it.

 

Already tried that...seriously, no amount of downward pressure is helping. Do these things usually turn? The one on the passenger side went on no problem. I get like maybe one turn, and the whole assemble turns.

 

You think if I got the nut started, and put the wheels on and lowered it that the weight of the vehicle would help hold it in place?

 

The taper on the stud and spindle is what will keep it from turning. Did you jack up on the lower control arm until it starts to lift the truck off of the jack stand, then push down on the upper control arm.

 

Not a bad idea, but I would want more than one turn on the nut to hold it.

 

hey man if that didnt work just put a jack underneath the LCA and jack up. make sure the ball joint part is straight in the hole

 

I ended up putting the wheels back on with the nut started, and lowered it a bit with the jack...it went right in. Now I just need to figure out how to tighten up the one bolt on my sway bar, and get an alignment.

 

What is the torque spec for the castle nut...couldn't find one...

 

Hey Fabian, most of your questions could be answered by looking in this service manual.
It's a really good resource to have and easy to find the sections you need.

 

I think its about 45ftlbs

 

Chris 4x4 said it is 81.

 

Blast from the past...


Just did this today...used a ratchet strap to cinch down the UCA