Upper wishbone nut

[lopena]

Car is a 1964 3.8 OTS.

My question is: how tight should the nut be that connects the balljoint and upper wishbone to the stub axle carrier? When I checked mine they were snug but not very tight...I was able to turn the nut about half a turn. I didn’t see any relevant information in my Service Manual.



Many thanks, as always
Alan
N.J.

[abowie]

As tight as you can physically do them up. It may be that they are loose because whoever installed them lubed the taper and it spun rather than locking in place. Give the wishbone a couple of solid whacks with your copper faced mallet and then tighten them up until your eyes bulge.

While you're at it change your lockwires too. For proper technique search Google.

[lopena]

Thank you, Andrew, for the clear, informative and succinct response.

Alan

[chrisfell]

A little voice in my head is saying, check all the fasteners. If I’d found one that’s loose I’d check them all. Find the torque specs and tighten every not bolt screw and clip, and not just the critical ones (suspension steering engine mounts...).

[lopena]

Chrisfell:

Yes, I was in the process of checking all bolts, nuts, fasteners, hoses, fluids and wires (before I put my car into winter hibernation) when I found that loose nut. I even found a slightly low oil level in one of my carb dashpots.

A good wash and waxing will soon follow.

I always feel a touch of sadness when I pull the car cover over that curvaceous body for the last time at the end of the driving season here in the (soon to be salt-crusted) east coast of the U.S.

Many thanks as always,
Alan

[JerryL770]

I think it should be remembered that it is important NOT to lubricate the taper on a ball joint pin. These should be assembled as clean as possible else lubricant allows the pin to be pulled in further, then the lube disappears over time and the joint is the devil then to separate.