so i just put in new ball joints on the passenger side of my truck and was wondering something. is it possible that the threads on the nut that goes on the lower ball joint screwed up? the nut should turn all the way down to the end of the treads freely right? well it doesnt it gets a few turns on then it stops and wont turn no more passed that point. need some help here.

 

The ball joints use a castle nut that's designed to be tight, it will not turn all the way down with out using a wrench.

 

Recheck threads on both sides to be sure no damage. Have a fine file or actual thread file just in case. I haven't pulled mine in a long time, but these castellated nuts may have locking feature to them that would describe your experience. The locking feature would be denoted by a some tiny triangle, type arrows. They would point towards the threads, typically 3 of them equidistant around the circumference. This is an additional feature on top of using a safety pin/cotter pin.

Just first recheck threads thoroughly. Also, is it doing this on all of your bj/nuts?

 

On my old Dana 44 the lower Bj's did not have a castellated nut. It's best to have a load on the Bj before you tq it down and that type of nut will only go on so far by hand. It has a dimpled or curled lip to it, its also a one time use nut or should be treated as such.

Edit: As posted do check the threads.

 

well I've tried putting a jack under the knuckle to lift it up in place and the dang nut won't tighten at all just sits their and spins along with the stud.
It's very frustrating cuz I'm doing what I've read in other treads to do but it's not working.

 

Try this........turn the steering wheel all the way one way and have someone hold it there in a bind, then tighten it up

 

That is the locking feature. Hence, the 1x use as it works by deforming that thread.

With the reminder of Merc's picture, you are most likely encountering the locking feature.

I remember that spinning problem too actually, but can't recall what was done. I think just like the above guy said was to bind it. Or perhaps I got the impact gun on it, assuming enough clearance underneath.

 

I used a C-clamp to hold things together, and put it on TIGHT. Then used an impact on the nut. Works every time.

 

Thanks for all the advice people I will give it a try and see what works. Now I did notice the my 4x4 light is on now since doing all this work. Wasn't on before that. Does that mean I lost the bushing in the end of the shaft? I did notice that it wasn't in the end of the shaft after I put it back in and started reading the treads about this problem.

 

Put the tire on it and set it on the ground, then tq that nut. Pull the CAD and see what's going on inside there, no replacement gasket is needed just use black rtv.