I know, I know, I'm running into problems and more problems with this job I'm down to the upper ball joint nut, which I can't get to budge at all even with my "big" ratchet (I know, it isn't that big lol). I even ghetto-rigged the emergency jack against the frame to put as much force as I could on the nut, and nothing... just started to bend the ratchet. The Rustoleum (as I've taken to calling the truck) continues to defy me! Any handy tips or tricks? Thanks!

 

I use a fence post to extend the breaker bar for more leverage. If it's a cheap breaker bar you will break the bar and not the nut though.

 

Heat the nut with a torch, the nut only.

 

Impact gun!

 

I just went to a handyman/mechanic neighbor to see if he had a longer/sturdier breaker bar I could borrow... he sent me away with a propane torch and advised me that sometimes in suspension systems the bolts are threaded backwards??? I thought the only thing threaded backwards was propane stuff?

 

Its obvious to tell from your picture that its not reverse threads. Like said before, heat the nut only allowing it to expand then apply force.

 

The old Hot Wrench!

Is there a cotter pin that goes through that? That's the way the nut looks to me.

Outside of that I'd suggest a 1/2" drive, 3 foot breaker bar. It'll come off. And it's good to know that it's not factory riveted on there.

 

The same thing happened to me. I'm not saying this is the easiest way but I took an angle grinder to mine. Like I said, I'm sure it is not the easiest but it worked for me. Just watch out for the camber bushings.

 

got the bastage off, finally... I vigorously took the torch and went after it, using a pipe on the end of my ratchet. Stay tuned for the never-ending saga of snags, I'm sure i'll have something new to post by tomorrow morning

 

there WAS a cotter pin... but the whole mess was so rusted that I couldn't pull it out. I ended up snapping it off as close to the bolt as I could, didn't give me any trouble. I suppose I'll have to drive out the remains of the pin when I put it back together.