alright here my case...ive been rebuilding the front end of my 4runner since 8 this mornin doing idler arm, ball joints, and tie rods. the idler arm was a sinch but the castle nuts on the balls joints and tie rod ends are freaking unbelievable. its like they were put on with an impact. the lower balls joints are the only ones ive been able to get loose because ive used one of those MASSIVE azz sockets and a 2 foot breaker bar. I've bent my last three wrenches trying to get these nuts loose. there is no room to use the big ole ratchet for the uppers and there is no smaller sockets to use for the tie rods. so im out of "straight" wrenches and i have no vehicle to use to go get more. my only option left is a sawzall but i dont really wanna mess up my truck. sorry for the jumbles but im just really pissed off. any suggestions guys?

ooo and before anyone says anything about me...ive gone through 2 cans of PB blaster.

 

If you have a nut splitter you could try to split the nuts off. Leverage is going to be your friend otherwise. There are a couple of write-ups on here but I am at work and don't have the links . From what I recall one technique put a bottle or floor jack on the A arms to separate them more. Another thought is to try turning the steering wheel to a position that gives you more room to get a breaker bar on them.

This link may help though:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/cv_axle/

 

I'm assuming you've tried PB Blaster or WD40 soaking for several hours?

As for the bent wrenches ... dude - life is too short to screw around with cheap tools. Time for a trip to Sears!

 

Leverage..and lots of it my friend.

 

Oops - didn't read that, thought it was part of the sig! LOL

Seriously, time is a significant factor. I had a helluva time getting the bolts for the trailer hitch out. Let it sit overnight with another dose of PB Blaster, then 1/2" drive socket + 2' cheater, no problem.

 

well i made my best effort but i couldnt do it. I got the idler arm done in like 30 minutes and was super easy. started on the drivers side and all the bolts were just amazingly tight. i bent 3 craftsman wrenches, still havent explained that to my dad. got all the castle nuts off, so i started on the little ones. uppers were easy but started on the lowers and they just started breaking, i broke 2 and just said screw it. the 4runner is gonna be loaded up on a trailor and takin to a shop to have it all finished. all the work seemed easy enough but my 4runner got the best of me. anyone in the eastern, NC area wanna make some money finishin up wut i messed up?

 

No reason for him to know LOL. Take them to Sears and trade them in before he realizes it.

 

hahaha very good point...how does the return policy go on Craftsman products?

 

not sure if bent will fall under the 'guaranteed for life' part but its worth a try. the worst they will say is no. then youll have to shell out for new ones, hopefully they will be on sale.

lee

 

I've taken in bent screwdrivers, rachets, wrenches, busted sockets and a 40+ year old hammer that "shattered". If it says Craftsman on it and it is a hand tool...they'll swap it out for a new one no questions asked. Nothing to it.

You need to borrow a heavy duty impact or get a 1/2" or 3/4" rachet and use your Hi-Lift jack handle as a cheater bar. You might try heating it up as well and then trying to break it loose.

Good luck.

 

I know how you feel. It can very frustrating, especially when you don't have the all the right tools. But if the nuts keep breaking off, it should free up your ball joint. I would try a little heat from a propane torch and let keep the PB Blaster flowing. Go buy a 2 or 3 foot breaker bar and take those things off!