Lower Ball Joint

[SPoe]

I was coming home from a date and I'm not even 1/4 mile away from the house and the truck vibrates real bad an POP the right front end hits the ground. So I get with my dad and we rig up a contraption to get the truck to the house, here are some picture.
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kinda bent the fender in the front
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100_0474.jpg
stuck a 4x4 under the suspension to hold it up to get to the house
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100_0478.jpg
and the ball joint is fine, just need a nut.

I found pieces of the nut but left them in the ditch since the nut shattered.
Does anyone know why the nut could have shattered?

 

[Greenleaf]

Really odd. Perhaps the cotter was omitted? What do the threads appear as? I mean the threads on the ball joint stud?

 

[SPoe]

The cotter pin is still in its slot but the tips broke off, the threads seem to be okay as if they would take another nut so I may try that and if the nut wants to fight then ill replace the entire ball joint stud.

 

[Paychk]

You may want to consider just replacing that lower ball joint (cheap insurance), and while you're at it check the other side too.

 

[SPoe]

I went ahead and bought the whole ball joint, the driver side is perfect. i guess i got a defective cotter pin and nut. I found the nut, it was o nthe frame, ill take pictures once i get off work.

 

[B.G. Smith]

The nut on the ball joint had to have never been tightened to the correct torque. If the stud is torqued to specs you should be able to remove the nut and it still would support the truck. I would check the torque on the other ball joint nuts. I don't have the specs on a 93 but my book says 97 and later heave duty is 110 ft. lb. bg

 

[Paychk]

93 FSM list
11/16" stud dia. lower ball joint 135 lb. ft.
3/4" stud dia. lower ball joint 175 lb. ft.

 

[SPoe]

thanks, ill make sure its torqued correctly this time

 

[mysteryman]

The nut and stud were lose . the pounding split the nut. Do not use the ball joint over again. replace it ! Be sure that the tapered hole in the spindle is not beat up . If it is it will have to be remachined. . Most do not have the proper reamer in their shop to fix the hole. I had one special made years ago for the very same problem you are having now. . I could remachine your for you if you can not find anyone local to you to do it. let me know if you need my help. good luck

I was coming home from a date and I'm not even 1/4 mile away from the house and the truck vibrates real bad an POP the right front end hits the ground. So I get with my dad and we rig up a contraption to get the truck to the house, here are some picture.

#ad


100_0472.jpg

kinda bent the fender in the front

#ad


100_0474.jpg

stuck a 4x4 under the suspension to hold it up to get to the house

#ad


100_0478.jpg

and the ball joint is fine, just need a nut.



I found pieces of the nut but left them in the ditch since the nut shattered.

Does anyone know why the nut could have shattered?