dandrover

I'm installing new ball joints on my 96 f150 4x4 I'm stuck on the first side as the new lower ball joint spins as I try to tighten it the upper joint is fine tho
Is this normal? Suggestions?
I tried putting pressure under the joint to hold it and tighten it but that didn't work

torquewrench08

I don't think it should spin, but I'm not positive...are you sure the whole cup is spinning, and not just the stud? Iirc, theres a certain procedure to doing these ball joints correctly - something along the lines of torque to xx pounds and back off but I cant find the page with the info.

Following tho as Ive got new ball joints sitting on the bench for mine

Phil63146

Put a lot more pressure under the ball joint (a floor jack is helpful) and the stud will stop spinning.

AllFordsGuy

Hm I don't like that, if it were mine I'd pull it back out and get a different one because I don't want to know how hard it could be to get back out when it is more corroded. Especially with a stud that big.

Phil63146

Well, when the time comes to change the ball joints on your truck AllFordsGuy, do what you want.
In the mean time dandrover, do as I suggested and the ball joint stud will stop spinning.

AllFordsGuy

Right, well I agree with Phil63146's method to get it in I just want to make it easier down the road. I don't like having to do hillbilly methods to do my work but when I pulled mine out I had to put a large adjustable wrench on the lower nut and run at it with a sledge hammer, it worked but it was not fun. Thankfully the stud didn't spin, but if it had been...that's all I'm saying.

olie

I agree with Phil on the floor jack. Spinning is normal.