Knuckle?

[FM]

How'd ya get the knuckle to drop? I'm doin ball joints today and I'm down to the knuckle but I can't get it to give. Is there a prefered strike point?



Fred

 

[HCR552]

Use a pickle fork and plenty of lubrication!

 

[Nate]

Yeah mine were a PITA to get out. I had to use a pickle fork on both the top and bottom ball joints at the same time.

 

[HOBrian]

How hard is this, The dealer wants $1020. 00 from me and I would like to do it myself. Thanks

 

[DPKetchum]

$1020 to do what?

 

[DBraunig]

FM,



Hit the Knuckle (not the housing) right where the upper and lower ball joints are located. Turn the knuckle so you get the best swing and hit the top and then bottom alternately (Dead Blow Hammer). Pretty soon she will drop right out. Clean the area the hub and bearing installs and put some antiseize around the Hub/Bearing so it will come apart easy next time.



Dave

 

[FM]

Thanks all for the help.



That is exactly what I was doing, hitting it on the ears of the knuckle only with a large ballpeen and it just would not drop. So after I asked the question here I went back and smacked it a few times more just for pure meanness and it dropped out. I was afraid I was going to crack it but it looked ok. After hours of searching my various treasure piles I came up with assorted scrap for receivers etc and got the new ball joints in. Took me all day to do the first one. Had the other one completely disassembled in an hour & a half. Should take about an hour to reassemble in the morning.



I put the adjustable ball joint in the top and will have to get it aligned and was wondering if they have to separate the knuckle to adjust that ball joint, assume so. How likely are they to damage the new ball joints doing this?



Wouldn't it be nice if the ball joint pressed in the knuckle instead of the axle yoke. Then those of us that don't have a lift in the back yard could pop the knuckle and work off a bench. I reckon some people are never satisfied

 

[HOBrian]

Why do you have to pull the bearing/hub out of knuckle, if it is the ball joints your after??? Just wondering because I am about to do my ball joints. Thanks Oo.

 

[DBraunig]

HOBrian,



you need the hub/bearing and axle shaft removed to gain access and allow the knuckle to drop from the ball joints. This will be easier to see when you start.



DPKetchum is right... . for a $1020 i'd almost drive up from KY to do it



Dave