Any reason why?

[A horse with no name]

Re the large castellated nut on the bottom of the ball joint... Is there any reason why a 'normal' nut could be used instead of? Is so, to be able to remove and replace it with a 'normal' socket should be 100% better - Right?

[VW_NUTT]

typically castle nuts are locked in place with a cotter pin.

[Jcslocum]

It's all about available space and locking tabs. When engineers are working to minimize sizes for either weight, cost or other things, they go with what they want. There is a locking tab to accommodate too.

[A horse with no name]

Thanks...Yes they are. How about a normal deep nut with holes located 180 degree's from one-another for the cotter key?


North American ball joints use a normal socket wrench...View on this link

http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/mog-k6541/overview/make/chevrolet/model/silverado-1500

[VW_NUTT]

I have my doubts that you could drill the hole in the correct spot before you put it on and have it line up with the correct torque. Why not just buy the correct nut?

[A horse with no name]

I likely will. It's just that I have heard how hard they are to come off and the $55.00 tool that our hosts sells is for installation only...They are also $17.00 US per nut.

I'll have to look around to see if I can find the size and type of thread used on the original tie rod and then see if I can find a ' normal' socket type castellated nut. With a 'normal' socket one would have little, if any, trouble when removing it.

At the factory they have no trouble putting it on but unfortunately they don't have to try and take it off with the socket tool that is required. If they did, they would likely switch over to what the rest of the world is using, which is a castellated nut that you would use a normal socket on to remove or install.

I have a '86 911 that needs 108 ft lbs of torque, where as other years need 184 ft.lbs. of torque. I would think that this may be a bit hard to do with the special 4 pin socket.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by VW_NUTT

I have my doubts that you could drill the hole in the correct spot before you put it on and have it line up with the correct torque...

It rarely does.

Unless there is a torque range, you torque it to the spec and keep going until you can put the pin in.

[VW_NUTT]

why not just get creative with a cheap impact socket and grinder and make it? All you need is a socket the same diameter as the nut. Or you could try Canadian tire they might have that tool to loan you. They have it at the store here.

[DanielDudley]

If you come up with something good, let us know.

[Jcslocum]

Yes regular ball joints have essentially a bolt holding it to the spindle upright. This is drilled for a cotter pin. The 911 ball joint nut you are talking about is what holds the ball joint into the control arm not the spindle.

If you find a normal nut it will be much too tall as well. The diameter is about 55mm so the hex nut will be the same height.

Buy the proper socket and then resell it. I really have my doubts that a standard hex nut will fit.

[manbridge 74]

Not THAT hard to get them off....

[mreid]

Geez, I spun mine off with an impact wrench. Easy peasy.

Get the tool on the left. It is billet, has no restrictions and is sold on eBay periodically.

[timmy2]

$25 solution
Source for ball joint socket tool? (Installation)

[A horse with no name]

Originally Posted by mreid

Geez, I spun mine off with an impact wrench. Easy peasy.

Get the tool on the left. It is billet, has no restrictions and is sold on eBay periodically.

Thank you mReid, 'Timmy 2' and manbridge 74 - I will now be able to sleep tonight. I have an impact, so the nut may just spin off also eh! Thanks to all for your input - Much appreciated!


Is this the socket - an OEM/Great Neck tools?
Amazon.com: OEM 25965: Tools & Home Improvement

[timmy2]

Looks to be correct, I bought mine at the local autozone.
Maybe a trip to Bellingham is in your near future?