MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: MrChris on April 6, 2022, 08:24

Title: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: MrChris on April 6, 2022, 08:24
Attached my rear control arms (at least I think that's what they are  :)) ) and I can't put the nuts on as the thread which comes from the ball joint part just keeps spinning. Couple of questions:

1. Are they knackered or is there a knack to fixing them on?
2. Is it possible to put more grease in to the ball joint area?
Title: Re: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: shnazzle on April 6, 2022, 08:43
Quote from: MrChris on April  6, 2022, 08:24Attached my rear control arms (at least I think that's what they are  :)) ) and I can't put the nuts on as the thread which comes from the ball joint part just keeps spinning. Couple of questions:

1. Are they knackered or is there a knack to fixing them on?
2. Is it possible to put more grease in to the ball joint area?
Is it the fresher ones I put in the car or the originals?
I've never fitted the black ones so can't confirm but could try the original to see if it catches. There's nothing in the manual about a knack other than that it says to use a new nut. I've never had those arms off at the hub, only at the subframe.
Torque should be 49nm after stabilising suspension. That's the rule anyway, always lower the car and let it settle and then tighten the bolts to torque. 
Title: Re: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: MrChris on April 6, 2022, 08:45
It's the one's you included, when I took off the originals I managed to squeeze out the grease hence my question about putting grease back in! Maybe I'll get a new nut but as soon as I start to tighten, the whole thing spins.
Title: Re: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: J88TEO on April 6, 2022, 08:57
If the nut is just spinning then you might have stripped the tread.
If the ball joint itself is spinning then you need to apply a bit of pressure from the back and tighten the nut.
Title: Re: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: MrChris on April 6, 2022, 09:11
Quote from: J88TEO on April  6, 2022, 08:57If the nut is just spinning then you might have stripped the tread.
If the ball joint itself is spinning then you need to apply a bit of pressure from the back and tighten the nut.


Yep it's the ball joint itself. I will try this approach thanks.
Title: Re: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: mr2garageswindon on April 6, 2022, 09:19
I usually put a big pair of pipe grips behind the ball joint to one side of the nut (Not best angle) and squeeze together while doing the nut up.
Title: Re: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: Call the midlife! on April 6, 2022, 09:31
Are you using an impact wrench? If not then try one, sometimes the speed/inertia of the wrench beats the friction from the threads.
Just don't ugga dugga the life out of it.
Title: Re: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: 1979scotte on April 6, 2022, 11:10
Quote from: Call the midlife! on April  6, 2022, 09:31Are you using an impact wrench? If not then try one, sometimes the speed/inertia of the wrench beats the friction from the threads.
Just don't ugga dugga the life out of it.


Absolutely 💯  don't dugga the life out of it.
Title: Re: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: Carolyn on April 6, 2022, 12:24
It also really helps to make sure both the taper and the socket are absolutely clean and grease free.  I use brake cleaner on taper joints.
Title: Re: Rear control arm ball joint spinning
Post by: mr2garageswindon on April 6, 2022, 17:00
If all else fails then a dab of valve grinding paste on the shank to give added friction to stop it spinning... Shhhh don't tell everyone its a trade secret...