Installed lift spindle, now have problem

[Grohe]

I had a buddy install my RC 3" lift spindle this past weekend. He is now out of town for a couple days, and is unable to help.

So, today I go to Sears Auto for an alignment, b/c they are the only place that could get me in today. Every other place I couldn't get in for almost a week.

The "techician" tells me that he is unable to due my alignment, because the upper ball joint on the driver's side is loose. He tried tightening it, but says he is unable to. I tell him that when I watched the guy tighten the ball joint, I swore I saw him use an allen wrench in the bottom of the bolt, and use an open end combination wrench to tighten the nut. He says he sees a hole in the bottom of the thread, but that is not for that purpose. The wheel has a slight amount of wiggle b/c of this problem.

So, can I just jack up my truck and tighten up the bolt. Or, do I have a bad ball joint??

[Black06]

what's the mileage? what kind of truck are we talking about?


......SEARS????? why don't you wait until an actual shop is open?

[Grohe]

2004
54,000 miles

I don't want to mess up my Terra Graplers. Plus all the real shops around here can't do it for another week.

[Bumpers]

Just try not to drive it alot..and take it to a real shop!

[Black06]

try jacking it up and tightening the balljoint...don't let those clowns at sears touch your truck or you will really have problems!!!

[riche]

Have you fixed it yet? Jack it up have someone push down on the upper a-arm with a prybar while you tighten the nut. You are lucky the guy at sears even noticed.

[belmont]

I swore I saw him use an allen wrench in the bottom of the bolt, and use an open end combination wrench to tighten the nut.

That's how you get the nut started. Otherwise the BJ just spins with it. Once it starts getting tight you can switch to a regular old socket.

[Grohe]

That's how you get the nut started. Otherwise the BJ just spins with it. Once it starts getting tight you can switch to a regular old socket.

Thank you, that was the answer I was looking for.

[TexAzTim]

Yeah, you need to use the allen wrench until the ball joint quits spinning freely. While it is a good thing he noticed, it is really sad that he didn't know that the "hole" was for that specific purpose and wouldn't try it. It's really nice that he was willing to let you drive away in an unsafe vehicle though! That would be reason enough to not go back there even if there is a wait. You should get an alignment ASAP but a week or so won't hurt the tires as long as you keep your driving conservative assuming your tires aren't squealing constantly.

[Grohe]

I'm going by a couple shops in town this morning. I wanted to wait to take pics until after I got it aligned, but oh well.

Stock
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc150/Mikgrohe/Picture121.jpg

With new tires and wheels
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc150/Mikgrohe/Picture001-1.jpg

RC 3" spindle
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc150/Mikgrohe/Picture005.jpg

[Aggie07]

looks awesome man, sry bout the problems but that sears guy is full of it, you have to use the allen wrench with the other...i would have to second those who say what for a real shop but not driving is gonna be tough haha

[Grohe]

Well I went to an actual shop today that was able to get me in.
They tightened the ball joint, and aligned my truck. So, I am very relieved and happy with how it turned out.

[Joseph K]

That's good... if the people at Sears don't even know how you tighten a damn ball joint, I wouldn't be taking my truck there for an alignment, let alone ANYTHING :read:

[Black06]

what size tires are those?

[Grohe]

265/70/17 Nitto Terra Grapplers

[Black06]

any problems with the ABS light with 265/70's???

[Grohe]

not yet

[KADILLACKID]

Just try not to drive it alot..and take it to a real shop!


Better pics of your avalanch please!!!:10:

[Grohe]

KadillacKid-more pics of that semi. That is awesome with those big stacks and lower cab. Or is that a photochop.