Dealing with a Spinning U-joint

Original Question:

Rodney Orr wrote:

At risk of displaying my lack of mechanical knowledge, how do I stop the
tapered shaft from rotating while trying to tighten down a ball joint
(outer tie-rod to steering arm)?
Thanks,
Rod. '70 TR6 CC55899L

Answers from the list:

Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 07:45:56 -0700
From: Steve Chandler
Subject: Re: How do I stop a spinning ball joint?

I use a regular nut (not the nyloc nut supplied) to tighten down the taper. The nyloc nut has so much friction that the joint will spin. With a regular nut it should tighten down easily (you may have to press down on the joint while you are doing this), and when the joint is firmly in place I take the regular nut off, and then put the nyloc nut on.

I have used this method several times and has worked fine.

Steve Chandler - Chandler-O'Bagy Associates

Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 08:50:45 -0700
From: Brian Kemp
Subject: re:How do I stop a spinning ball joint?

Ideas I know of in the order I try:

1. Don't use a nyloc nut the first time. Either pull the nylon out of the old nut or get a standard nut. Make it snug, remove the nut, then torque the new nyloc to spec (recommended method).
2. Lever/pry under the nut, like pulling a nail, to pull the joint together
3. Tap it together with a hammer any time it starts to spin

Brian Kemp
72 TR6