top link ball joint

[andydavy]

Trying to replace my front wing stays but i cant remove the nut holding the top link ball joint to the stay. It goes so far and then the ball joint stud thing just spins round. How do I stop it spinning to do the nut up or undo. It doesnt have an allen key slot on the bottom of ball joint stud!!

[Tazio]

Get someone to put pressure on it, either get them to lean on it, or I get my Mrs to stand on it...

[andydavy]

Which bit do you stand on?

[MADMALC]

You need weight on the suspension. If the wheel is on floor the weight of the car should be enough. You could try a lever to exert force in the same direction if the car is in the air.

 

[Tazio]

The top of the joint to re engage the taper

 

[DJ.]

A G clamp will work too

Duncan

[philwaters]

You may have the same problem when doing them back up - once the nylon starts to bite it can cause it to spin. I keep an old nut with the nylon removed for doing up tight enough for the taper to engage and then spin it off and fit the nyloc.

[ECR]

or a ratchet strap over both wishbones to pull the joint together

[SM25T]

Stand on the top wishbone if wheel on the ground.

[John Vine]

I keep an old nut with the nylon removed for doing up tight enough for the taper to engage and then spin it off and fit the nyloc.

Good tip, and one that's included in the Assembly Guide.  For info, the nut is M14x1.5. 

Personally, I would fit a new nyloc.  Tighten to 54Nm (according to the old AG) or 61Nm (according to the IKEA-style new one).

JV

[elie boone]

Or just use an old nut first to seat the taper.

[Jim 123]

Caterham parts do a Seven specific ball joint splitter for your application, it costs about £70 however.  For kit assembly they provide a plain M14 nut to draw the ball joint into its seat and then swap for a nyloc torqued to 54Nm.

[andydavy]

Thanks everyone.