RTH - ball joint stuck

[Beams37]

Top of ball joint snapped off. Now stuck in spindle. Have tried multiple things, but am open to ideas.

 

[I Lean]

Hit it on opposing sides with two sledgehammers. At the same time--sandwich the thing in between. The shock will pop it loose.

 

[atnolan94]

Wow man let us know how it goes. I would used a tie rod or BJ puller and put pressure on it. Just keep in mind it needs to come out the top.

 

[Matt Phelps]

Swing by the auto parts store and get a loaner ball joint tool. Push it up from the threaded side, careful as you torque it, it may pop out when it unsticks.

 

[Qtonic]

^ That's also my first thought. In my quick look at a few parts store websites I didn't see that style of tool for rent but I probably missed it. Anyway it's a good option and can be had at harbor freight (part 99849) for $20. I've used mine several times and consider it a good investment.

 

[reznunt]

This one is 15 bux and works great.

Tie Rod and Pitman Arm Puller

Or you can just heat/beat/repeat. As mentioned above it's a tapered hole so that broken shank needs to come out of the top.

 

[Qtonic]

^ My concern with that style is clearance with the knuckle, but it might work. There's also the nonadjustable jaw width that has to be considered.

 

[Beams37]

Thanks all for the responses. Tried the following options in order ...

1: Hammers ... Nada
2: "Pickle Fork" ... Nada
3: Puller ... Nada

At this point, I have reached my wit's end. I should have just sent it to a shop. Now, I am trying to see if a shop will take the job on. Tomorrow morning my focus is calling local shops and working on a tow truck.

Needless to say this been a bad weekend.

 

[atnolan94]

Have you used heat? Just use a blue propane torch from Lowe’s it will make the difference I bet

 

[Njck22]

the auto parts store might have a press tool? perhaps that could work provided its flat on the top

maybe the lower ball joint will come out and you could put the whole thing in a vise with either a socket or press tool on the top and then crank it down

 

[Beams37]

Have you used heat? Just use a blue propane torch from Lowe’s it will make the difference I bet

I forgot about heat ...

4: Heat ... Nada
5: Heat + all other items ... Nada

 

[Beams37]

the auto parts store might have a press tool? perhaps that could work provided its flat on the top

maybe the lower ball joint will come out and you could put the whole thing in a vise with either a socket or press tool on the top and then crank it down

So I thought about taking the entire spindle off and seeing if I could make it happen. Unfortunately, I just don't have the time to go down that rabbit hole.

I'll update this thread when I hear from the shop.

 

[TXLX100]

I'd try a C clamp style press. Auto zone usually has them for loan and bunch of different size fittings comes in the kit.

 

[ga12r1]

Put tension on the broken piece with puller then sharply wack the flat spot on the knuckle as hard as you can with BFH. That should do it. It’s all about creating shock by hitting the knuckle. That’s what the flat spot is for. You may not even need tension from puller. You may need to brace the knuckle with something to keep the it from moving since it’s broken loose from the BJ now though.

I have never used any tool to break the taper on the ball joint but a hammer, and I’ve never had to hit more than 2 or 3 times to separate.

 

[bigredmachine]

iod try heat, beat and turn with a pipe wrench. once it starts moving a little bit itll come out.

 

[mmm635]

Heat it up with a torch and spray PB Blaster all over it and the capillary action will soak it into the crevices of the joint. Do this two or three times and hit hard with a hammer or use a puller.

 

[knewstance]

This one is 15 bux and works great.

Tie Rod and Pitman Arm Puller

Or you can just heat/beat/repeat. As mentioned above it's a tapered hole so that broken shank needs to come out of the top.

Using this from the bottom so the taper works in your favor is about the only way I could see that coming out with any ease. When I pulled mine a couple weeks ago, I had to use a 2' breaker bar just to turn this puller because mine was so tight.

Since your ball joint is broken off, you'll want to use some wire or a clamp preferably to secure the top of the knuckle while you work, allowing you to put on full torque while tightening the puller.

 

[nukegoat]

Weld a bead on top. Constrained expansion etc. Works for bearing races

 

[abuck99]

Youre 2/3 of the way to removing the knuckle- completely remove it , turn it upside down and hammer it out. Worst case take the knuckle somewhere to have it pressed out. Dont give in and have your truck towed to a shop- you can fix it.

 

[reznunt]

Using this from the bottom so the taper works in your favor is about the only way I could see that coming out with any ease. When I pulled mine a couple weeks ago, I had to use a 2' breaker bar just to turn this puller because mine was so tight.

Since your ball joint is broken off, you'll want to use some wire or a clamp preferably to secure the top of the knuckle while you work, allowing you to put on full torque while tightening the puller.

If you have an air or cordless impact it'll pop it right off without breaking a sweat.