Ever had a ball come loose?

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

Unfreekingbelievable, advise from inside the boxers.

.............. So all the negative criticism of Jay was unwarranted in my opinion.

We'll unfairly abuse anyone we dagnabbit well please.........

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

Mind you, I'm a real proponent of using the right tool for the job. Heck, I was in automotive for 30 years and my tools were appraised in excess of $60,000.00 back in 89. I own the finest Snap On, Matco and Mac tools anyone would care to own. While I don't make my living turning wrenches anymore (YAY!!!) I still retain the knowledge and the skill that being a professional Master Certified Gas and Diesel Automotive and Truck Technician. In that time, I've seen my share of overkill. You know, the guy using a torque wrench and applying 18flbs of torque to each and every 3/8" bolt on his engine, "just because" there happens to be a torque value listed somewhere.

Shenanigans! Do what you can with what you have and 99% of the time, you'll be just fine.

BTW, if you want to create a really slick and effective "nyloc" style thread locker. Wrap 20 or 30 lb test mono on the threads of the ball. The compressed mono will stop simple vibration from causing your nut to loosen.

FWIW: Every time I read the title of this thread, I crack up. Too funny.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

You all know crescent wrenches come all the way up to 2 feet long, don't you? Maybe even longer, although rare, I own an aluminum 3 footer.

They will tighten a nut better than an equal length pipe wrench will. So all the negative criticism of Jay was unwarranted in my opinion.

??? out of the frying pan into the fire! A pipe wrench is even a far worse choice than a crescent wrench! Those two types of wrenches only touch the nut in two very small contact points. 200 ft/lb WILL round out the nut.

The BEST wrench to use for this is a closed end box wrench. Why you ask? A socket and ratchet will break once you get a cheater bar on it (socket wrench will strip out). If you use a breaker bar instead, the socket itself will split. (I've done this more than once...) A closed end box wrench (with a large cheater bar) isn't going anywhere, and won't break on you catastrophically if it does fail.

 

[gus-gus]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

??? out of the frying pan into the fire! A pipe wrench is even a far worse choice than a crescent wrench! Those two types of wrenches only touch the nut in two very small contact points. 200 ft/lb WILL round out the nut.

The BEST wrench to use for this is a closed end box wrench. Why you ask? A socket and ratchet will break once you get a cheater bar on it (socket wrench will strip out). If you use a breaker bar instead, the socket itself will split. (I've done this more than once...) A closed end box wrench (with a large cheater bar) isn't going anywhere, and won't break on you catastrophically if it does fail.

Did you read where I suggested a pipe wrench should be used? Come on!

 

[gus-gus]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

We'll unfairly abuse anyone we dagnabbit well please.........

Of course, I expected no less.

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

No never had one come loose; However:
Put blue lock tight near the ball on the threads.
Tighten the whole thing with the wrench of your choice.
Still concerned? Use red loctite instead of blue.
You'll have to use heat to get it loose.

Up in the northeast all the exposed threads get a nice coat of surface rust - natural loctite.
Once I tried to remove a ball with a very large pair of vise grips.
I set them very tight.
So much so that when I used both hands to close the jaws I caught the palm of my hand in the mechanism in the handles as the jaws shut tight.
Wow. Haven't felt hurt like that again; thank goodness.

Anyhow - the loctite will end your problems.
Good luck with it.
-br

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

I hate it when my balls get loose

 

[1216bandit]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

BTW, if you want to create a really slick and effective "nyloc" style thread locker. Wrap 20 or 30 lb test mono on the threads of the ball. The compressed mono will stop simple vibration from causing your nut to loosen.

Great tip!!

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

Ayuh,... The trouble with that is,...

When ya wanta take it Off,...
It takes a Blue-tip Wrench...

Ah, yes Bond-O...the key is to have a hitch prepared for every vehicle. I have no plans to ever attempt a ball removal. I have a nice collection of ready to use hitches. They also make great door stops and tire chocks in a pinch!

 

[americaneagler77]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

you need a new lock washer and loctite RED!!! not a new ball. i use a new washer whenever i remove the nut with loctite red and a large crescent wrench, no busted knuckles and no loose balls, ever....

 

[Failproof]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

Double nut, lock tite, cross drill and cotter pin, no wait, roll pin thru lower nut, then tig weld a ridge on any left over exposed threads. OH, one more ting, make sure its a 1600 pound rated ball; from harbor freight. Ya know, cause we wanna do things right!

 

[chrome dome]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

both of my balls are good too..

on the 4wd and the car..

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

We'll unfairly abuse anyone we dagnabbit well please.........

Heck yeah, this is the trailer forum dammit! There's only absolutes here. Gotta have a thick skin and a HUGE tow vehicle to hang with these guys

 

[Outsider]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

you need a new lock washer and loctite RED!!!

Ding-ding-ding, we finally have a winner! Except forget the loctite, not worth much with large threads and big wrenches. Make sure the shaft fits the hole, torque 'snugly' using a wrench extension. Probably have to use the extension if you ever want to get it loose ...

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

I have three balls of different sizes. Is that a problem? Of course, only the bull balls hanging below my bumper are loose.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

Pipe wrench? What kind of idiot would tighten a nut with a pipe wrench?

Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Wrinkling the nut on with a big pipe wrench is the choice if the next available possible tool is an 8" crescent wrench.

I personally use an impact (6 point) socket and a big breaker bar. Always a split lock washer, and usually a little loktite blue. I am familiar with the feet on the hitch frame, flat out grunting position.

If I have to disassemble one for some reason, it often takes a smoke wrench.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

you need a new lock washer and loctite RED!!! not a new ball. i use a new washer whenever i remove the nut with loctite red and a large crescent wrench, no busted knuckles and no loose balls, ever....

Odds are about even the lock washer is the only mistake he made. All spring style lockwashers are one time use only. If it were mine, I'd replace both the hitch and the ball because they could both be damaged. Notice I said could... Don't take a chance. Not sure what the Loctite 271 will do, you only use it when you can't use a lock washer.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Wrinkling the nut on with a big pipe wrench is the choice if the next available possible tool is an 8" crescent wrench.

I personally use an impact (6 point) socket and a big breaker bar. Always a split lock washer, and usually a little loktite blue. I am familiar with the feet on the hitch frame, flat out grunting position.

If I have to disassemble one for some reason, it often takes a smoke wrench.

Or a Visa Card... LOL...

 

[phxpsd]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

Yea.....don't chance a wreck for $40 worth of draw bar and ball!!!!!!!

 

[bigdee]

Re: Ever had a ball come loose?

Use this and you won't have to worry about loose balls......

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...er-hitch/triple-ball-trailer-hitch-94141.html