ball joint spindle just spins, can't tighten or loosen.

[spock2001us]

When putting my new ball joints in, I tightened the nut on the spindle with an impact on low torque, then put my torgue wrench on to verify the tightness, and the nut and spindle spun in the balljoint housing....what is up with that?.....Is the spindle broken?....I looked at the other new ball joint that I had not installed yet and I could turn the spindle in the joint, so it seems like if it turns it is no big deal, but it concerns me if something is broken. The joint is tight, but not sure what to make of it when I can't torque it.

I probably should just take the ball joint back to Advance Auto and tell them I want a new one. My impact will probably remove the nut in spite of the spindle spin, if it is needed. If not, I will prolly just cut it off.

Tell me if the spindle can spin in the ball joint when installed.

 

[HISSIN50]

DId you jack the control arm up to load it?

Good luck.

 

[spock2001us]

DId you jack the control arm up to load it?

Good luck.

I found this on another website, just before I read your post. I will give it a try.....apparently it is something common, with your quick response and the post on the other website.

I was worried that I had twisted the head off of the spindle with the impact.....ummm....and that would be a problem when driving down the road.

 

[HISSIN50]

Yeah, the shank in the BJ can spin. But the receptacle in the spindle (that the BJ goes through) is tapered. So once you jack up the arm (which presses the shank into the spindle), the shank gets pressed in a bit and should stop spinning [enough to cinch it up].

It is for this reason that I recommend checking the big BJ nut after a few drives - that BJ shank can press even further into the spindle after hitting some pot holes at speed, etc. Though we are talkin about microns of movement, it doesnt hurt to make sure that nut is nice and tight.

Good luck.

 

[spock2001us]

OMG!!!!....what a freaking retard I am...

I can't believe they even let me put a wrench to a car

The stupid spindle was spinning because I bought the Energy Suspension master kit and it came with a ball joint boot/fitting, whatever you call it....it is a poly covering that fits over the ball joint. I figured it looked a nice red, so I put it over the spindle and pushed it onto the ball joint....EVEN THOUGH THE BALL JOINT HAD ITS OWN POLY FITTING ON TOP!!!!!......arrgggghhhh....after I took it apart tonight and took out the E. Susp spindle cover, the nut then went on the spindle torqued and tight.....

Arrrggghhh....I then did the same to the other side and now everything is nice and tight in front.... ...triple head bang on that one.

 

[HISSIN50]

It happens - that's how we learn. Glad to hear you got it whipped.