The Nissan Path

Long time lurker - this has been a *great* resource - but now I need help (hope to repay one day!)

Replaced upper and lower ball joints - both pressed in fine and installed c-clips.

I have reinstalled the steering knuckle, however I cannot get the lower ball joint stud to pull all of the way through so that I can install the pinch bolt.

I've tried striking upwards with a rubber mallet, and putting a jack under the LCA and raising, and then striking the side of the LCA. But I remain 3-5 millimeters out - I can see the outer edge of the groove on the stud when I look through the pinch bolt hole in the knuckle.

What started out as an optimistic 3-4 hour job has taken all day...and the passenger side awaits.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would be extremely greatfull!

Thanks!

Since the ball joint stud is new it might be a tight fit so might need to clean out any burrs. Before you try to install the bolt you must see if the stud has gone far inside the knuckle.

Thupertrooper wrote:Since the ball joint stud is new it might be a tight fit so might need to clean out any burrs. Before you try to install the bolt you must see if the stud has gone far inside the knuckle.

Thanks Thupertrooper - where would I find burrs? I cleaned the stud hole on the knuckle to get all of the grime and grit out of it, but the stud only wants to go ~90% in - I can see half of groove on the stud when I look through the pinch bolt hole - it just won't finish going in.

SmearResistant wrote:

Thupertrooper wrote:Since the ball joint stud is new it might be a tight fit so might need to clean out any burrs. Before you try to install the bolt you must see if the stud has gone far inside the knuckle.

Thanks Thupertrooper - where would I find burrs? I cleaned the stud hole on the knuckle to get all of the grime and grit out of it, but the stud only wants to go ~90% in - I can see half of groove on the stud when I look through the pinch bolt hole - it just won't finish going in.

Got it! Put jack under the steering knuckle and lifted it up - a couple of taps with the rubber mallet on the lower control arm and it all lined up.

Thanks for the tip! I'll be doing my lower control arms next week, I am sure I'll face the same issue.

SmearResistant wrote:

SmearResistant wrote:

Thupertrooper wrote:Since the ball joint stud is new it might be a tight fit so might need to clean out any burrs. Before you try to install the bolt you must see if the stud has gone far inside the knuckle.

Thanks Thupertrooper - where would I find burrs? I cleaned the stud hole on the knuckle to get all of the grime and grit out of it, but the stud only wants to go ~90% in - I can see half of groove on the stud when I look through the pinch bolt hole - it just won't finish going in.

Got it! Put jack under the steering knuckle and lifted it up - a couple of taps with the rubber mallet on the lower control arm and it all lined up.

Awesome glad you got it.

evgenk wrote:Thanks for the tip! I'll be doing my lower control arms next week, I am sure I'll face the same issue.

You're welcome - glad I could give back. Good luck!