Howe ball joint question

[s10cyncrvr]

I was installing my Howe tall ball joints and noticed in the instruction sheet that it said to torque to a certain rating and then in bold "not to overtighten". I torqued them to that rating. Now I need to get the cotter pin in. If I loosen the nut up, there is a bit of play. If I were to tighten them up, I would have to add another 20 ft-lbs. Which way should I go?

[dhondagod]

Tighter is better, if there's play between the nut and the spindle then you'll have problems later and end up buying another b-joint and possibley a spindle.

If you need another 1/8-1/4 turn to get the cotter pin in, then do it.


Chris

[megaladon6]

i've always seen to tighten the nut to line up the pin.

[GBodyGMachine]

i've always seen to tighten the nut to line up the pin.

x2 Thats what I do

[gearheads78]

I had a really hard time getting my pins in. Mine were not drilled through the center. So I had to basicly curve the pin to barley get it though. I still had to have one hole just starting to open up while the other side was closing the hole. Not sure if it was a defect or not but ended up with a couple are tigher than I like because I missed my window by lining up visble hole I could see assuming it went straight through.

[David Pozzi]

Tighter is better, if there's play between the nut and the spindle then you'll have problems later and end up buying another b-joint and possibley a spindle.

If you need another 1/8-1/4 turn to get the cotter pin in, then do it.


Chris

X3 that's what I do and have read in the instructions. Backing it off is very bad, can cause a broken stud.

[dannyuscg]

I have used the Howe low friction joints in all of my circle track cars. I have never had a failure due to being over torqued. I've had a few friends who have broken them due to crashes and excessive wheel banging.

[s10cyncrvr]

Thanks guys! Tight it is.