Trick to remove upper ball joint nut??

Mote

Mote

New member
I *almost* lowered my car yesterday. The project ground to a halt quickly yesterday when I could not remove the upper ball joint nut. I removed the sway bar links easily. The upper ball joint nut broke loose, then was snug most of it's travel. Stinks I couldn't use a socket because it required a hex wrench in the bolt to keep it from twisting. When the nut got to the end of the bolt, it STOPPED. It would not move any more at all. I could not keep the hex wrench in place and I was concerned it would strip out. I turned the nut back in several turns, sprayed some penetrating oil on it and went to the side of the car. That nut behaved the exact same way. Hrm. I could find anything on the interwebs that said this was difficult or a trick. But there must be. Maybe I missed something obvious. At least it wasn't a total waste off time - I replaced the brake pads. Thanks guys
 
MOTOWN MARAUDER said:
Time for a BFH and a chissel!
Click to expand...

If I mangle or ruin this, I'd be buying new upper control arms because the ball joints cannot be replaced. Things are not that dirty and don't look badly corroded. There was some red plastic stuff left behind from inside the nut - I guessed it was simply a nylon-insert nut.
 
Try heating the nut until the nylon is melted out, then proceed with the hex key and the wrench approach. Replace the nut for reassembly.
 
Mote said:
If I mangle or ruin this, I'd be buying new upper control arms because the ball joints cannot be replaced. Things are not that dirty and don't look badly corroded. There was some red plastic stuff left behind from inside the nut - I guessed it was simply a nylon-insert nut.
Click to expand...

Dont mangle it! but just split the nut in half, and replace the control arm.
 
The bolt has an Allen wrench hole in it.......use a box wrench on the nut and an Allen wrench to hold the bolt (shaft) and HAVE AT IT!!:D
 
According to Green Ford 2004 Crown Victoria Grand Marquis Workshop Manual:
204-01-13
Ball Joint
1. The ball joint is not serviced separately. If the ball joint requires service,
the front suspension lower arm of the front suspension upper arm will
have to be installed new. For additional information, refer to Lower Arm
or Upper Arm in this section.
204-01-10
Upper Arm
1. Turn off electrical power to the suspension system.
2. Remove the shock absorber and spring assembly.
3. Detach the retainers from the arm.
4. Remove the nuts, bolts, and the upper arm. Discard the nuts.
5. NOTE: Snug the upper arm-to-crossmember nuts and bolts. Do not
tighten until the installation procedure is complete and the weight of
the vehicle is resting on the wheel and tire assembly.
6. Check, and if necessary, align the front end
 
WI Fordguy said:
Try heating the nut until the nylon is melted out, then proceed with the hex key and the wrench approach. Replace the nut for reassembly.
Click to expand...

do this ^^ exactly. i do this on a daily basis. the nylon "lock tight" nut gets all bound up in the threads. heat it up and melt the nylon and it'll come out no problem
 
I encountered the same issue when replacing my struts so I took it to the local Ford dealer to break the nuts free. The tech skipped Allen wrench step and used a pair of lockjaw pliers on the ball joint itself. When I picked up the car I inspected the work and showed the service manager the destroyed ball joint boots.

Another hour later the new upper control arms were installed and I was on my way.

:beer:
 
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