[mfifield]

Well I'm stuck. I'm trying to remove my lower BJ with the separator I got at Advance and it won't come loose. I've been hitting it with a normal hammer. My craftsman air hammer doesn't seem to work. Any ideas on getting it loose? I'm heading to Home Depot now to buy another air hammer and big sledge.

BTW - The bearing/hub came out easily on the driver side.

 

[weedahoe]

penetrating oil and heat?

 

[GC714]

Bigger hammer & patience

 

[mfifield]

The fork like separator is going all the way in, but it still hasn't separated. I'm using 15/16" which says, ball joints.

Do I need to keep hitting or going at it with the air hammer?

 

[jakenbake13]

Take the nut completely off, place a jack underneath the ball joint, and jack up so where the ball joint is supporting the weight and tap the side of the ball joint with a hammer, the weight will help separate it

 

[mfifield]

Got the upper with a pitman arm puller. The arm puller won't fit on the lower. I've been banging on this since 9am (3p now). Not sure what to do next.

 

[clemsonteg]

I usually just loosen the castle nut almost all the way off and then give the spindle a few solid whacks on the face with a 4lb sledge and that usually gets things loosened up. Sometimes a few whacks on the side of the spindle helps too.

 

[ramminsilver]

Just had that issue with mine. Pain in the butt.

 

[mfifield]

Until I get a ball joint separator that is compression style, my truck is basically non driveable. I just tried the passenger side with the same results. I hit the bottom of the driver side bolt enough, that I can't get the nut back on. I'm going to put the hubs/brakes/wheels back on and park it in the driveway.

BTW - I called a local shop and they said $340 for just the lower BJs.

 

[jakenbake13]

did you try using the jack?

 

[RAMROD24]

Take a torch and just blow out the center of the ball joint and the rest should fall out.

 

[mfifield]

Yep. I tried all of the methods listed except the torch.

 

[travelszdrednek]

Does your tool from advance look like a big c clamp with a hold in one end of it? If not, then it's not the right tool. A ball joint press looks like this.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/pi/detail.oap?line=KDT0&item=3421

 

[ramhunter9]

Take a torch and just blow out the center of the ball joint and the rest should fall out.

BINGO!!

 

[mfifield]

Does your tool from advance look like a big c clamp with a hold in one end of it? If not, then it's not the right tool. A ball joint press looks like this.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/pi/detail.oap?line=KDT0&item=3421

I'm not that far yet. I can't get it out of the knuckle. I need something like this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...odeling&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

 

[05DaytonaHemi]

With ur tie rod and brakes off turn the spindle and hit the knuckle wit a hammer right were the balljoint goes threw the knuckle.. It should drop. If not than ur prob gonna need some heat.

 

[HemiRamOwn3r]

true that . . i just used a small propane torch from the hardware store. worked enough for me

 

[hemi1569]

They can be a bitch. I had some on 3/4 tons i thought were never coming out, than some that would almost fall out.

 

[mfifield]

Where did you heat it at? From the bottom? I've got a micro torch, but I probably need to get one. Will something like this work? http://promaxcommerce.com/shared/vi...cx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Nx9sGjLSL.gif

 

[HemiRamOwn3r]

thats what i use. just heat what ever metal you can get to woth out melting the boot, and make sure you wack at it right away so it doesnt cool down at all