2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Cutting Out Lower Ball Joints - Advice Needed

[delliott]

In order to replace the hub/bearing assemblies, I had to cut through the ball joints and have a machine shop use a 60 ton press to remove them from the steering knuckle. I was able to use the ball-joint press to remove both upper ball joints and even break the lowers free, but they won't go past the ridge above the snap-ring groove.



I've tried heat from a propane torch, lots of penetrating oil, sledge hammer, impact on the ball joint press, etc. , but no luck. Given what it took to remove the hub/bearings, I guess this should be expected.



After lots of research on here, it looks like my only option is to cut them out with a torch. I have family member coming over with the cutting torch this evening.



Does anyone have any suggestions/tips for this process? I really don't want to destroy the axle tube yokes in the process.



As always, any assistance is greatly appreciated.



David

 

[Taz]

Hrm... . you have or have not got the ball joints out?

Cause you are contradicting yourself. You said the machine shop pressed them out no?

 

[delliott]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I had the hub/bearing assemblies pressed out, but since the ball joints on a 2001 are installed in the axle tube yokes, there is no way to get them to a press. Well, not without taking the entire axle out or cutting the yokes off the axle tube then welding them back on.



I was finally able to get them out late last night. Heating the yokes didn't seem to help at all. Because of the position of the ball joint press, it looks like the ball joints were not being pushed out straight. When it got to the lip above of the snap ring groove, it hung up.



I pressed them back up into the yokes, then changed the angle of the ball joint press to make sure they were coming out straight. It took two interlocked wrenches to make the equivalent of a 3 foot breaker bar, plus two of us putting everything into it to get them out. You could see the very large 1 1/4" wrench bending under the force, but it held out long enough to get the ball joints out eventually.

 

[DCreed]

rediculous isn't it? I broke 2 hub pullers AND the hubs to replace my ROTORS! I'm glad they finally put them on the outside on 3rd gens. (see the factory DOES learn!LOL!) anyways I ended up having a local shop do it and they said it took hours and while it was in there I had EVERYTHING replaced and neversiezed so hopefully if I need a rotor I wont need all new front again!