[rgunlock]

Then its time to reinstall the knuckles on the "C" at the ends of the Dana-44 axle. Driver side went together no problem. Got the nuts on upper/lower along with the spanner nut all torqued and good. But, passenger side, the lower stud just spun when trying to get the nut on. Asked on the main forum for suggestions. Came down to a) use an impact wrench and b) jack up on the bottom of the knuckle to force the ball joint stud into the taper of the "C" on the axle so it won't spin.

I didn't actually have a good impact wrench. Another trip to town for that. Don't know how I've lived without one, but it didn't work. The stud still spun. I'd wanted to totally reassemble the axle on stands where I had more room to maneuver, but went ahead and mounted it under the truck so I could try plan "b" above. Didn't work, the stud still spun.

Finally got the nut to tighten by using a small needle nose vice grips to hold the stud. I don't think I damaged the grease boot too much. Ball joints done!