Ball joint nut won't tighten

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  • kikkoman
    Advanced Member
    • Jun 2009
    • 197

    #1

    Ball joint nut won't tighten

    The first few top threads on the ball joint stud is messed up so the nut won't tighten. I'm going to try to clean up the threads using a die to see if I can get it started. Does anyone know what size die to use? TIA.
  • bmwguy325is
    E30 Fanatic
    • May 2011
    • 1263

    #2
    I say just cut it off. unless it way to short.
    sigpic"If one does not fail at times, then one has not challenged himself." -Ferdinand Porsche
    The ugly car: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=209713

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    • blueapplesoda
      E30 Mastermind
      • Dec 2005
      • 1904

      #3
      yeah, i would just chop it off. or hit it with a grinder and make a cone or something to get past the damaged threads.

      All-Red/MHW style Professional Tinted Tail lights
      PnP EMS, fuel injectors, wideband o2 systems

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      • mr.vang
        R3V Elite
        • May 2010
        • 4371

        #4
        are you sure the ball joint stud is not moving with the nut? it happen to mine and i had to put pressure from the bottom with a jack so i can tighten the nut.
        Bought parts from me before? leave your feedback here

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        • bmwguy325is
          E30 Fanatic
          • May 2011
          • 1263

          #5
          Originally posted by mr.vang
          are you sure the ball joint stud is not moving with the nut? it happen to mine and i had to put pressure from the bottom with a jack so i can tighten the nut.
          :stupid:Ya ive had that happen too. Though I am guessing you can see the damaged threads?
          sigpic"If one does not fail at times, then one has not challenged himself." -Ferdinand Porsche
          The ugly car: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=209713

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          • Ceeker
            R3VLimited
            • Sep 2009
            • 2821

            #6
            Don't butcher the job!!! Get a dye, and re thread it; then put a jack under the ball joint to put tension on the bottom. The shaft is tapered so it will sit snug. Then get the nut started and then finish it with the air gun. Should work.
            sigpic

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            • kikkoman
              Advanced Member
              • Jun 2009
              • 197

              #7
              Originally posted by mr.vang
              are you sure the ball joint stud is not moving with the nut? it happen to mine and i had to put pressure from the bottom with a jack so i can tighten the nut.
              Yes, I had run into that doing the left side so I had the jack under ready on the right side. The nut wouldn't tighten so I checked the threads and at first didn't even appear to be stripped so I kept at it by applying pressure while turning just using hand tools but still couldn't get it to catch. After a while I started getting pissed (this is usually when I start doing stupid shit) so I really tried to force it in by using an impact wrench. Well, it ended up really stripping the top so this is when I stopped last night and am thinking about trying to chase it with a die.

              I did thought about just cutting piece of the top off as the bolt seems tall enough where it shouldn't be a big issue and still might be an option later if chasing doesn't work. So no one knows the size I should use?

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              • LJ851
                R3V OG
                • Nov 2010
                • 7918

                #8
                A thread file would work well to repair your damaged threads.
                Lorin


                Originally posted by slammin.e28
                The M30 is God's engine.

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                • kikkoman
                  Advanced Member
                  • Jun 2009
                  • 197

                  #9
                  Originally posted by LJ851
                  A thread file would work well to repair your damaged threads.
                  You mean something like this? I'll try anything that isn't too expensive or time-consuming at this point.

                  Comment

                  • LJ851
                    R3V OG
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 7918

                    #10
                    Originally posted by kikkoman
                    You mean something like this? I'll try anything that isn't too expensive or time-consuming at this point.
                    Yes. Should be cheaper than a die and will be useful later as it will have all the common metric thread pitches on it. I also wouldn't hesitate to cut off some of the damaged threads as long as you retain enough length to protrude through the nut when tight.
                    Lorin


                    Originally posted by slammin.e28
                    The M30 is God's engine.

                    Comment

                    • seatown88
                      Grease Monkey
                      • Oct 2010
                      • 331

                      #11
                      I would use a thread restorative die instead of a thread cutting die. A thread file may work alright depending on how bad the damage is. I would not cut it, you are more than likely make the situation worse. Just spend the money to get the tool to do fix it right the first time and avoid headaches later

                      Comment

                      • kikkoman
                        Advanced Member
                        • Jun 2009
                        • 197

                        #12
                        I'm going to pickup that thread file tomorrow and see if I can make it work. Worth a try being it will be least amount of impact. Just in case, do you have a link to such "thread restorative die"? This is all new to me so while I'm a bit annoyed about my situation I'm also kind of fascinated with possible solutions and tools available to solve the same problem and making it work.

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                        • immajackuup
                          E30 Enthusiast
                          • Dec 2010
                          • 1132

                          #13
                          vice grip stud then wrench nut out.

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                          • seatown88
                            Grease Monkey
                            • Oct 2010
                            • 331

                            #14
                            Sorry about the slow response, here is a link to thread repair dies.

                            McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

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                            • kikkoman
                              Advanced Member
                              • Jun 2009
                              • 197

                              #15
                              UPDATE: Finally, I've just today received the thread file that I had to order from Amazon since I couldn't find any in local stores. Spent about 30 min trying earlier but doesn't seem to work. Either I'm not using it properly (highly likely since I've never used one before but it's just a file so...) and/or the thread isn't cooperating. I'll give it couple more shots over the weekend to see and if not I'll try getting a die next and see how that goes. It's just the first couple of threads on top that's bit mangled so my last option will be just to cut a bit off as others have recommended.

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