While tightening the nut on the lower ball joint I put a socket on it and didn’t realize the threaded portion was spinning at the same time. I probably rotated it 10-20 times. Now this side is much easier to turn than the other side which I installed properly. Did I damage it or just wear it in a little bit so it’s looser? Thanks
No it’s normal, if you look at the ball joint you should see an Allen wrench hole? Perhaps at the base there’s even a nut so you can hold it still and use a 2nd wrench to turn the ball joint locking nut.
Wait sorry
This bolt has two flat edges use a 2nd wrench to hold it still
You’re good, it’s just a ball in socket, it can spin freely. When they’re new they just have such a tight clearance that they don’t spin easily. If you can’t get it to tighten to the proper torque, put a jack under the lower control arm and add some upward pressure and go to tighten it again. Either that or use a impact wrench.
Neither should really be loose, however have you breaded them yet? No turning them in the socket won’t hurt them it’s a literal ball and is designed to rotate.
It’s fine. Sometimes I have to spin it to get it to bend the way I want. Just don’t do it a ton with an impact and you’ll be ok. As long as the threads aren’t damaged, there should be no issues.
