LYKOS
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Bent Mountain Va
When you press out the upper ball joint and the post goes through the top, that means it was probably worn out right?
They come out real easy when you know "the hammer trick". Get the balljoint press cranked about as tight as you can with a box wrench and one hand, then whack the side of the inner C right by the balljoint with a 3lb hammer... balljoint should pop out a bit. Rinse, lather, repeat.
With this method you can do balljoints without no power tools without ever breaking a sweat.
They come out real easy when you know "the hammer trick". Get the balljoint press cranked about as tight as you can with a box wrench and one hand, then whack the side of the inner C right by the balljoint with a 3lb hammer... balljoint should pop out a bit. Rinse, lather, repeat.
With this method you can do balljoints without no power tools without ever breaking a sweat.
You are correct. That is how I was attempting to press it out.
I haven't done enough ball joints (Almost abbreviated Ball Joints and that did NOT look right) to really know the routine.
I thought they would come out easier than they did.
Live and learn...
I'd probably replace the housing... but wow, that sucks. Lesson learned: wipe the gobs of grease and grime off the work piece so you can see what you're doing before starting!Yeah, the other method is the heatin' and beatin' method. My first lower I tried to push it up to get it out - wouldn't budge. I just about sprung my OTC press, had it lubed and cranked down with a 6 ft cheater bar. Still wouldn't move - I broke out the torch, had an acetylene torch on it with a 5 lb sledge for a half hour, stopped, backed the press off, the joint fell out of the bottom. Dammit. Held the replacement joint in place and welded it around the top. When it goes the axle is done, or I can cut it out and weld in the replacement one again.....
I'd probably replace the housing... but wow, that sucks. Lesson learned: wipe the gobs of grease and grime off the work piece so you can see what you're doing before starting!