Ball Joint Nut
#1
Ball Joint Nut
I know this is a long shot, but does anyone know the size of the original ball joint nut on a 2000? I have a replacement aftermarket control arm that's missing this part. I know the size that was supposed to be supplied with the new arm, and it would be very helpful to determine if I can reuse the original nut before tearing everything apart.
#3
So, I basically have two choices at this point. Send the left arm back again for refund and buy a different brand (more time gone), or tear into the front end for what might be wasted work. If the threads are different, I can't leave the car disassembled while I wait for the new part. It will have to be reassembled and then disassembled again when the replacement control arm arrives. I'd like to use this arm, it appears to be good quality, but the missing nut has turned into a big problem.
I'm really pissed at MOOG for not taking care of this. They actually said they can't help because Rock Auto isn't an authorized distributor. That's a lie, because these parts were shipped to me directly from MOOG's Federal-Mogul Warehouse. They just don't want to take the time to make it right. I've been buying parts from MOOG for more then 40 years, but they're obviously not the same company they used to be. Never again.
#4
I ordered the cheapest lower control arms from Rockauto a few months ago and the nuts came with them. as for the nuts, as long as they are stainless you will be ok..
the best thing to do is get the cheapest lower control arms and put energy suspension bushings on them, it takes away a lot of the slop in the front end and it doesn't ride harsh at all...
the best thing to do is get the cheapest lower control arms and put energy suspension bushings on them, it takes away a lot of the slop in the front end and it doesn't ride harsh at all...
#5
I ordered the cheapest lower control arms from Rockauto a few months ago and the nuts came with them. as for the nuts, as long as they are stainless you will be ok..
the best thing to do is get the cheapest lower control arms and put energy suspension bushings on them, it takes away a lot of the slop in the front end and it doesn't ride harsh at all...
the best thing to do is get the cheapest lower control arms and put energy suspension bushings on them, it takes away a lot of the slop in the front end and it doesn't ride harsh at all...
Grade 8 hardware has a tensile strength of about 150,000 psi. Most of the stainless on the market is less than half that, close to Grade 2. Maybe that's OK for this application, but I won't risk it.
#6
if you still have the old ones just put new ball joints on them and energy suspension bushings and call it a day. you can get aftermarket ball joints with grease fittings so they last and the energy suspension bushings will pretty much last longer than you will probably have the car.
#7
if you still have the old ones just put new ball joints on them and energy suspension bushings and call it a day. you can get aftermarket ball joints with grease fittings so they last and the energy suspension bushings will pretty much last longer than you will probably have the car.
#8
I wouldn't worry about the strength of the nut, just make sure you use a crown nut and cotter pin. the steering knuckle sits on top of the ball joint so the nut won't have a load on it. if the strut was connected to the lower control arm then there would be a load on the lower ball joint nut.
#9
The load on the nut is created from the tightening torque. In this application, it's spec'd at almost 90 ft-lbs, which is a lot of torque for a size M14. The risk is not just that the nut might experience a catastrophic failure, but that the threads will gall or partially round over (strip) during tightening. I don't want to argue about hardware quality, and I'm not saying your vehicle will fail if you use reduced strength parts. I just won't knowingly use anything less than Grade 8 in suspensions. That's my rule, and I'm sticking to it.
#10
when it comes to regular nuts I just go to Lowes and use whatever they have.
when it comes to castle nuts they seem to always be supplied with the part if it's needed so I never had to look for one.
I believe I ordered the Ultra Power brand lower control arm from Rockauto and the castle nut came with it.
when it comes to castle nuts they seem to always be supplied with the part if it's needed so I never had to look for one.
I believe I ordered the Ultra Power brand lower control arm from Rockauto and the castle nut came with it.
Last edited by uptownsamcv; 10-17-2020 at 06:25 AM.
#12
OK, I partially disassemble the left side this afternoon. The original factory ball joint nut is the same thread as the MOOG replacement: M14-1.5. The original requires a 19mm socket, whereas the replacement is 21mm.
Turns out I'll need to replace the axle on that side. I replaced the boots with NAPA replacements about two years ago, but the outer one is throwing grease all over the knuckle now. So, even though the old nut can be reused, I still had to reassemble it and order more parts. Sometimes you just can't win.
As always, thanks for all the good advice!
Turns out I'll need to replace the axle on that side. I replaced the boots with NAPA replacements about two years ago, but the outer one is throwing grease all over the knuckle now. So, even though the old nut can be reused, I still had to reassemble it and order more parts. Sometimes you just can't win.
As always, thanks for all the good advice!
#13
I know this is a long shot, but does anyone know the size of the original ball joint nut on a 2000? I have a replacement aftermarket control arm that's missing this part. I know the size that was supposed to be supplied with the new arm, and it would be very helpful to determine if I can reuse the original nut before tearing everything apart.
#14
https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...m-cv-axle.html
#15
I did reuse it, but it's a flange nut, not a castle nut. I mentioned this in another thread.
https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...m-cv-axle.html
https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...m-cv-axle.html
#16
The load on the nut is created from the tightening torque. In this application, it's spec'd at almost 90 ft-lbs, which is a lot of torque for a size M14. The risk is not just that the nut might experience a catastrophic failure, but that the threads will gall or partially round over (strip) during tightening. I don't want to argue about hardware quality, and I'm not saying your vehicle will fail if you use reduced strength parts. I just won't knowingly use anything less than Grade 8 in suspensions. That's my rule, and I'm sticking to it.
Last edited by CMax03; 11-10-2020 at 06:50 AM.
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genepool
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
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10-22-2001 10:00 AM