XTX Lower A-arm replacement....

[GR8BBQ]

So I was able to get it apart fairly easily with the help of a ball joint separator.
I'm now trying to reassemble.
The bolt in the a-arm passes through the spindle and you have to attach the nut at the bottom.
How do you keep the bolt from turning while turning the nut?
Seems I need to reseat the bolt in the spindle somehow?
I thought putting weight back on the ski by lowering the sled from the lift might do it, but the bolt still turns.

 

[GR8BBQ]

Maybe some pictures to help orient.

This is the nut in the spindle I need to tighten (pic before disassembling)


The nut is trying to thread onto the tie rod bolt at the base of the lower a-arm under here:

 

[2015ViperMTX]

Use an impact?

 

[GR8BBQ]

The "bolt" is the threaded end of the ball joint; it just spins so the nut won't tighten. Is there a flat portion somewhere under the rubber boot or something to hold the bolt while turning the nut?

 

[cannondale27]

I know I had the shock off and just whacked top of joint with dead blow hammer and it stuck in there real good. Make sure it's clean. Maybe even clean taper with some brake clean and let it dry.

 

[GR8BBQ]

I know I had the shock off and just whacked top of joint with dead blow hammer and it stuck in there real good. Make sure it's clean. Maybe even clean taper with some brake clean and let it dry.

Will give it a go tomorrow and report back; thanks for the suggestions!

 

[GR8BBQ]

Update: nut is tightened finally!

What I did...

I took it all apart again to clean the "ball joint bolt" and the cone-shaped hole through the spindle. I used acetone based brake clean, and wiped it down and let it air dry. Then I reassembled, pounding on the a-arm (with a hammer, insulated with a piece of hard wood.) Still didn't set it enough to be able to tighten the nut. The bolt still spun while trying to tighten the nut.

What finally worked:

I clamped around the spindle and a-arm, insulated with a rag so as to not scratch the finish. I was able to get enough pressure to be able to tighten the nut finally.

Hope this helps someone else someday.

Stay right!

 

[“shpecial”K]

Update: nut is tightened finally!

What I did...

I took it all apart again to clean the "ball joint bolt" and the cone-shaped hole through the spindle. I used acetone based brake clean, and wiped it down and let it air dry. Then I reassembled, pounding on the a-arm (with a hammer, insulated with a piece of hard wood.) Still didn't set it enough to be able to tighten the nut. The bolt still spun while trying to tighten the nut.

What finally worked:
View attachment 150657
I clamped around the spindle and a-arm, insulated with a rag so as to not scratch the finish. I was able to get enough pressure to be able to tighten the nut finally.

Hope this helps someone else someday.

Stay right!

I took a large C clamp and 2 pieces of wood and put some pressure between the bottom of the spindle and the top of the ball joint. That was enough to seat them together and tighten the nut