Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
- SinusoidalTendencies
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Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
well i don't know about you but i know i'm in for one when i start with an issue with practically the first step.
especially when the instructions go like, "just tap on it, and it comes right out".
Can't get my steering end ball joint separated from the wheel assembly.
sprayed it with some penetrant. jacked it up a wee by the main ball joint to hopefully take some tension off of it. <nut is on the very end for better smacking. there is room to budge>
someone walked off with my torch
hasn't budged a mm smacking it.
Any bright ideas??..?.or bad ideas??
I know i really just need my torch
especially when the instructions go like, "just tap on it, and it comes right out".
Can't get my steering end ball joint separated from the wheel assembly.
sprayed it with some penetrant. jacked it up a wee by the main ball joint to hopefully take some tension off of it. <nut is on the very end for better smacking. there is room to budge>
someone walked off with my torch
hasn't budged a mm smacking it.
Any bright ideas??..?.or bad ideas??
I know i really just need my torch
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I don't always learn my lesson.
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But when i do, it's the hard way.
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
You can use a puller similar to this to remove it. Measure the width of the joint & buy a puller appropriate to that size.
https://www.harborfreight.com/tie-rod-a ... Q8QAvD_BwE
https://www.harborfreight.com/tie-rod-a ... Q8QAvD_BwE
Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
Don't smack on the nut (or tie rod end) hit the steering knuckle. You'll probably have to hit it pretty hard to shock it loose. Good Luck!
if it aint there, there's a good chance it won't break!
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83 SR5 Silver/Blue (Snowmobile/work beater)-totaled but drivable
85 SR5 Blue
88 SR5 White (the 'good' one)-not anymore-totaled
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- SinusoidalTendencies
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
there's a situation with my wallet too. hoping to finish with this thing so i can get to my next gig....so working with whatever i can find laying around.
banging the knuckle...more nothing happening
maybe i'm just weak
banging the knuckle...more nothing happening
maybe i'm just weak
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
Some parts stores will loan tools, maybe Oreillys or Autozone in your area?
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
I use a chunk of steel about 3 lbs or more and hold it under the arm that the shaft passes through (front underedge of arm). There is not much surface there but enough. That forces the shaft to absorb more of the impact when i smack the end of the shaft with a copper or brass large hammer. Works almost every time and i have done a lot of them. Heating the arm up can help too. Lead hammer would work too. Bigger is better.
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- SinusoidalTendencies
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
can't get the other side either. i feel like i must be doing something wrong.
your method was the first i tried Robert. no dice.
tried leverage on top of the tie rod end while smacking the knuckle. no dice
the puller thingy from harbor freight really looks like the best bet if it fits the knuckle
your method was the first i tried Robert. no dice.
tried leverage on top of the tie rod end while smacking the knuckle. no dice
the puller thingy from harbor freight really looks like the best bet if it fits the knuckle
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
- SinusoidalTendencies
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
or maybe i can figure something out with some c-clamps....?..?.??..?..
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- dlb
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
Ditto on Rob's advice. I've had to put a puller like atoyta linked to on the tie rod end stud, do it up snug, and then bash side of the part that the stud sits in. Eventually they have always popped out for me. But yeah, unfortunately I think a ball joint puller is a must for front end work.
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
If you have two hammers, try simultaneously smacking the casting that the tie rod's stud passes through. There is a tapered bore in there, if you can shock-distort that bore with the two hammer method you should be able to eject the tie rod.
Also, use more penetrating oil...
Also, use more penetrating oil...
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- slimdude85
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
Most part's stores have a rental tool program. I know O'Reilly rents out "pickle forks" (tie rod separators) for a deposit that would be . That would be rather economical, considering the deposit is fully refunded upon return.
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- marlinh
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
Hit the side of the knuckle where the tie rod passes through with a large hammer. It's tapered fit and usually a couple good raps breaks it free. Never needed a puller on a tie rod before.
- SinusoidalTendencies
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
a few dozen smacks raps and taps later.....still here
still not budging
both sides the same
not trying to break anything here
not trying to tare the boots with a fork....the puller would cost about the same anyways
still not budging
both sides the same
not trying to break anything here
not trying to tare the boots with a fork....the puller would cost about the same anyways
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
- SinusoidalTendencies
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
and i thought it was weird too that they didn't just come out. not my first time replacing axles. just my first tercel4wd
I don't always learn my lesson.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
But when i do, it's the hard way.
- Petros
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Re: Situation...steering link ball joint stuck
EASY! You only need one large hammer to strike it on the arm right at the taper (after you loosen the castle nut). It will just fall out.
The shock wave though the metal forces the taper to pop out. perfectly safe if you strike it in the correct spot. Allows you to re use the tie rod end, most pullers or "pickle fork" tool will damage the boot, striking it with a hammer will not. see picture.
The shock wave though the metal forces the taper to pop out. perfectly safe if you strike it in the correct spot. Allows you to re use the tie rod end, most pullers or "pickle fork" tool will damage the boot, striking it with a hammer will not. see picture.
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