Ditch Doc

Hi again,

Working on a 1993 4x4 pickup. I'm trying to replace a bunch of stuff in the front end, including ball joints. Everything is badly corroded, so much of it has to be cut out. The right upper ball joint was seized into place, and there was no chance of digging out what was left of the cotter pin. I had to cut the nut in half to get the pin off, then cut the rest of the ball joint off above the steering knuckle. Both cuts were made using a 7" cutoff saw. Normally after heating the knuckle with a torch, I can knock the remaining chunk of ball joint out. This procedure has worked for the lower ball joints, as well as the tie rods. I've heated the knuckle twice with no success other than getting the rest of the nut off. I cant seem to punch out the rest of the shaft. The ball joint press didn't work either. Penetrant isnt working. The 2-jaw tie rod separator ran away screaming.

I'm out of ideas. Does anyone have any other tricks?

Doc

rworegon

Did you try putting pressure on it the BJ with the press and then popping the spindle/steering knucle with a hammer to deflect it a bit? This normally works for the on the stuck ones.

Ditch Doc

Yeah... Tried that. It laughed at me.

250000_yota

Tried an air hammer?

Ditch Doc

Good idea, but I don't have access to one. Only a punch and a sledge.

justin_4runner

get bigger hammer and swing hard..i would pull it all the way out so u can flip it over and using a punch and big hammer hit it and see if it will come then, if not maybe use a floor jack and a rod to push it out like 3ton press would...

rworegon

I pity you guys working on those rusty rigs.
Good luck.

cr@ves4wheelin

Air hammer....

I was in a same situation as you described, before I started using ball joint pullers. I had a seized ball joint that I cut on both ends. I was hammering on the thing for hours, ended up dragging the air compressor from the back yard and grabbing an air hammer from the garage. Started it up, and in less than one minute it popped out.

I know you posted that you don't have access to one, but maybe you can rent one?