Hi Guys, just wondering what's the easiest way to replace a ball joint? i was putting the arm back in and I can't tighten the ball joint nut, it just turns.

Was wondering how do you change a ball joint on a 96 xplorer 400?

i doudt they have ever been change, i've had the bike since 99. I should change the other side too?

thanks for any help
Sbishop

 

Sometimes the nut will not tighten up, it does not mean your ball joint is wore out. True it could be wore out it is hard to say with out seeing it. To get the nut to tighten up you need to push up on the A-arm towards the bottom of the strut, say with a pry bar between the ground and the A-arm should give you the leverage you need. While prying upwards try to tighten the nut it should tighten up. Try this and let us know how it works out.

 

badmoose, i'll try that in the morning....cause I don't think it's bad..just can't tighten it up. i didn't have any play in it before I took it off and it came off pretty easy. thanks

 

Moose, thanks a lot, worked like a charmed, she is back up and going!

 

I have seen ball joints on cars and trucks do the same thing. Usually I will clean the threads off with a rag and spray a little wd-40 on the threads before putting the ball joint back into the a-arm and tighting the nut Still some times have to do the pry up on it method.

Good news is you are up and rolling.