Spindle removal: what I am I doing wrong?

[jrigheimer]

I can get the spindle off. I have a pickle fork and a hammer nothing is working. The drum brake is welded to the spindle so I don't have much room.

[jrigheimer]

Bkmm

[jrigheimer]

Pickle fork is all the way in?

[Oldtruckfanatic]

I hate to say this but first of all its going to be super difficult to get that spindle out at the lower because the drum backing plate wont let it drop far enough. Secondly if I have a stuck balljoint I make sure the nut has enough threads on the balljoint to keep it contained and I turn the wheel just like you have it and pop the spindle right at the ball joint with a 2lb hammer however this does leave marks on the spindle so if you're not swapping you're best to keep working with the fork.

[Oldtruckfanatic]

Also turn that fork 90 degrees its nowhere near all the way in you want to point it so its not going to hit the backing plate. The idea is to shock it to release the taper so it sometimes it takes a pretty good whack its not like driving a nail.

[bonnieclyde100]

what type of hammer are you using? sometimes a regular nail hammer doesnt build enough torque to knock them loose its better if you use a small sledge hammer one that is just a little bigger than a nail because they are heavier and create more torque. also sometimes hitting the spindle on the thick part that wraps around the ball joints that sometimes will knock them loose

[jrigheimer]

Originally Posted by bonnieclyde100

what type of hammer are you using? sometimes a regular nail hammer doesnt build enough torque to knock them loose its better if you use a small sledge hammer one that is just a little bigger than a nail because they are heavier and create more torque. also sometimes hitting the spindle on the thick part that wraps around the ball joints that sometimes will knock them loose

I just have a nail hammer the ball joint is almost completely eroded

[jrigheimer]

What pound hammer do I need

[Oldtruckfanatic]

Use a small 2lb single or double jack sledge hammer

[jrigheimer]

Originally Posted by Oldtruckfanatic

Use a small 2lb single or double jack sledge hammer

Should I keep trying with the pickle for

[Oldtruckfanatic]

If you use a heavier hammer the fork will work fine. You really do need to take off that backing plate though. Even when you get it unseated it wont come off the ball joint because of the recess the end of the control arm is in. I have tried it before.

[jrigheimer]

Originally Posted by Oldtruckfanatic

If you use a heavier hammer the fork will work fine. You really do need to take off that backing plate though. Even when you get it unseated it wont come off the ball joint because of the recess the end of the control arm is in. I have tried it before.

how to i take it off, it looks like its welded to the spindle itself. the bolts are removed and I've tried prying it off but it does move at all

[3drburb]

With the truck supported you will need a very big hammer to hit the spindle right at the lower part where the bolt goes thru it. If it is welded, grind the weld off and then give it a few good hits until it comes loose. Btw you will not need the pickle fork for this.

You may need to find a hammer like this if yours dont work.

[jrigheimer]

The hammer worked. But still can't get the upper off

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by jrigheimer

The hammer worked. But still can't get the upper off

Secure your brake line, then use the fork on the upper or do whatever you did to free up the lower.

[jrigheimer]

Originally Posted by 3drburb

Secure your brake line, then use the fork on the upper or do whatever you did to free up the lower.

It just took some more effort haha, that's for the help

[Oldtruckfanatic]

The upper will do the same just keep at it. Also the reason the backing plate wouldn't come off is that the pin at the top center of the plate that the shoes and springs are hooked to is a big bolt that goes through the plate into the spindle. I'm glad you got it off I haven't been able to do it without beating up the backing plate or removing it.

[Oldtruckfanatic]

Oops too late. Good job.

[jrigheimer]

Thanks for all the help