Help! 4wd Balljoint removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Rust Buster · 06-12-2007, 07:27 PM

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!

JimKshortstep4x4 · 06-12-2007, 08:28 PM

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

Jim

1969k10stepside · 06-12-2007, 08:36 PM

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

**truckdude239** · 06-12-2007, 08:45 PM

they are spot wleded in place from factory i believe

Rust Buster · 06-12-2007, 09:09 PM

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?

kxnomore · 06-12-2007, 09:13 PM

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!

*trkklr77* · 06-12-2007, 09:58 PM

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

Rust Buster · 06-12-2007, 10:30 PM

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?

*trkklr77* · 06-13-2007, 12:54 AM

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.

msgross · 06-13-2007, 01:00 AM

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...

06-12-2007, 07:27 PM	#1
Rust Buster Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 547	Help! 4wd Balljoint removal 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! __________________ Maj USAF 71 K5 Blazer CST 72 K20 HT383 NV4500 Mass-Flo EFI 71 K10 LWB 52 Dodge Power Wagon 67 Dodge WM300 Power Wagon 48 Dodge WDX Power Wagon My Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=239487

06-12-2007, 08:28 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal My thought would be to get someone to press them out. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

06-12-2007, 08:36 PM	#3
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,019	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.

06-12-2007, 08:45 PM	#4
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: Help! 4wd Balljoint removal they are spot wleded in place from factory i believe __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

06-12-2007, 09:09 PM	#5
Rust Buster Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 547	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? __________________ Maj USAF 71 K5 Blazer CST 72 K20 HT383 NV4500 Mass-Flo EFI 71 K10 LWB 52 Dodge Power Wagon 67 Dodge WM300 Power Wagon 48 Dodge WDX Power Wagon My Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=239487

06-12-2007, 09:13 PM	#6
kxnomore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CA Posts: 331	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!

06-12-2007, 09:58 PM	#7
trkklr77 Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: vacaville ca, because it as far from indy as i can be Posts: 775	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

06-12-2007, 10:30 PM	#8
Rust Buster Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 547	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? __________________ Maj USAF 71 K5 Blazer CST 72 K20 HT383 NV4500 Mass-Flo EFI 71 K10 LWB 52 Dodge Power Wagon 67 Dodge WM300 Power Wagon 48 Dodge WDX Power Wagon My Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=239487

06-13-2007, 12:54 AM	#9
trkklr77 Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: vacaville ca, because it as far from indy as i can be Posts: 775	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.

06-13-2007, 01:00 AM	#10
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	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... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"



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