Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

:m6:

I've never had anything be more stubborn. I have my spindle removed with the upper and lower balljoints still in. What am I missing? I've tried the technique of pushing them out with a long bolt and socket and slowly turning the bolt.

Also tried banging the crap out of them to get them out and they simply will not budge. What other creative ways can I get them out?

Thanks!

Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

My thought would be to get someone to press them out.

Jim

Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

Mine were so stubborn on the 71 K10 that I had to torch one out...The rest I pressed out.

Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

they are spot wleded in place from factory i believe

Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

They're welded in place!!?? That would explain why it is so hard to get out. But then how do they expect you to replace them?

Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

I was in the same boat, and the rented tool did nothing. A local shop quoted $80 to replace all 4 so I gave up and took them in. He said they took a 30 ton shop press AND mucho heat from a torch. This guy said they were especially tough, too, but eventually (obviously) they did come out. He didn't mention any spot welds though?

But you will be very happy with the ride. It made a big difference, but my springs were bad too. Good luck!:)

Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

never heard of them being spot welded but they are a pita.

are you sure you are going the correct way, they pushout upwards towards the top of the knuckle

Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

Well don't I feel like an idiot...
I was going the wrong way. The way it looks, I though for sure they went out towards the nuts.

Thank you for pointing out what I should have realized if I had looked more closely at the service manual!

Ok, so now that they are off, do I really need to have the new ones pressed in, or can I just seat them really good through careful tapping?

Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

you can seat them with a piece of pipe, ring of steel or a over sized socket but i wouldnt hit it in the threaded end to install them. you might be ablt to use a punch or chisel and work around evenly.

Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal
 

I was wondering if yours had lock rings like my 76 did? There is a tool to do them that hooks up to an impact wrench...