Stripped Hex Stud on Ball Joint

joverman · Post by **joverman** » 17 Mar 2019, 20:23

Hey guys, I was working on replacing my ball joints today and everything was going smooth until I stripped the hex key spot on the stud for the passenger side ball joint.

I cannot tight the nut any further.

Any tips on how to get this tightened up or should I go to a shop?

Post by **abscate** » 17 Mar 2019, 20:46

Can you grab the stud with a Vice Grip (tm)

Get a good one, ie, not from Harbor Freight

Post by **SuperHerman** » 17 Mar 2019, 20:57

Were it me I would replace the ball joint now so it doesn't bite you in the future.

That said - abscate's idea works. If you have the space you can do some grinding to get a tool on it. You can try pounding a larger torx or allen into it. Sometimes putting pressure on the it with a jack from underneath will do it.

Regardless, when it comes up again you will have to fight what you did - so I would change it out now.

Post by **abscate** » 17 Mar 2019, 21:01

You can always grind off a fastener if there is still access. Once the torque goes up and the tapers get locked up you might not even need the counterhold

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 17 Mar 2019, 21:38

Take a Torx Bit that a almost fits the Hex and drive it into the Hex. Back it off and replace the Ball Joint.

Post by **jimmy57** » 17 Mar 2019, 23:17

Jack the car up by that control arm so the control arm is pushing up with strut spring supported weight bearing down, this will often cause enough drag to stop the stud from spinning.

Post by **oragex** » 18 Mar 2019, 07:44

Small tip, if you can still remove the nut, remove it from there then use a steel mesh sponge to clean really well all the stud threads - so the nut can turn easily when tightening it. Then try the tips mentioned above, or more simply, replace the bj (Lemforder is the genuine one)

joverman · Post by **joverman** » 18 Mar 2019, 09:40

Thanks to all of you. I am going to give this a go later after work.
I do have a Lemforder Ball Joints btw.

joverman · Post by **joverman** » 18 Mar 2019, 18:05

Hey all, I couldn't get it any tighter or take it off. I'm going to have to take it to a shop.

Thank you for the help. I appreciate it.

Post by **vtl** » 19 Mar 2019, 14:30

It was not hex, it was torx. That's why it stripped.