Lower Ball Joint Nut

I just replaced a wheel bearing on the front left of my '91 Honda Accord. As part of the process, you have to remove the tie rod/lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.

Now, upon re-assembly, I'm trying to tighten the lower ball joint nut to the lower ball joint, but the ball joint/bolt at a certain point starts to spin: there is no place for me to prevent it from turning. SO, I can't get the lower ball joint nut tight!!!!

Any suggestions????

Thanks!

Im trying to remember, does the ball joint shank come downward through the control arm?
If so, you can put a stand or something that can support the car under the control arm. Let the weight of the vehicle down on the control arm and that will force the shank of the ball joint tight into the arm. That should give you enough friction to tighten the nut.

Yea, it comes downward through the control arm like you said. I thought that putting weight on it might help, so I put the tire back on and lowered it: but it's still loose. Maybe this isn't really putting weight on it?

Maybe if I do as you say, put the weight right on the control arm, it'll hold it. I'll give it a try ... thanks!!!

You have to have weight on it and use something with fast torque i.e. an impact wrench. If you dont have airtools, you can try a drill if you have the adapter to use a socket with it. I used a drill when I had that problem before I had air tools and it did the trick.