how to get ball joints out

[swynx]

Got a ball joint press. Only thing holding knuckle on is ball joints. Always read take bottomout first. The screw on my press is too long to fit in the knuckle so I have to turn the press upside down. With a 3 ft cheater bar it still won't budge. In fact I pressed some of my press... tried to do top first. Barely enough room. That one won't budge. Spent 6 freaking hours on this getting no where. Tried bashing them out with a sledge. Tried using yhe press every which way. Llooked shit up here there every where. What am I doing wrong?

 

[swynx]

Watched some YouTube videos and did it the exact same way they did and I got no where

 

[kunar]

not sure if im reading this right. your knuckle is still attached to the beam? you dont need the press yet, the ball joints are taper fit into the holes in the beam. assuming youre replacing the ball joints, you should be able to just drive them out from the threaded end. after you get the knuckle off of the beam, you use the ball joint press to take the ball joints out of the knuckle.

 

[Mark_88]

Heat! I had one done by a guy who alternated between heating and hammering...took him about two hours for just one...and my mechanic friend said the same thing...especially if they are originals...heat them up with an oxy-acetelene (sP) torch and then bang away...downwards...I think!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pc-Tie-Rod..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item1e7fa0de1d&vxp=mtr
can you get a pickle fork in there you should be able to borrow one from the local parts store. Use heat and a BFH. If your knuckles aint bleedin your doing it wrong

 

[swynx]

The knuckle is still attached to the beam. I'm trying to replace the ball joints. I've been unable to hit em out with a hammer or press them out. Was going to pick up a pickle fork. I got them looser with a hammer but that'd it

 

[Road Angels]

Put your press back on, get it good and tight, then take a steel broad faced punch (3/8 face), put it up to the side of the knuckle where the joint shaft goes thru the knuckle, then give it one good hard rap with a large ballpeen hammer,(wear gloves), the idea is to break the tapper fit loose by causeing a a side ways shock to the taper, has worked every time for me

 

[chrwilkins30]

Do what kunar said. Just get a pickle fork and beat it with a sledge. Then use the ball joint press.

 

[Andy D]

Road Angels has the concept I use. I dont have a press, I use bars or a jack to exert a 'pull'. Then a side wise rap with a hammer. The inner tie rod ends on my BMWs were a PITA until I started using a 2 foot piece of 5/8 all thread as drift. It allows me to work in the wheel well with a 6 pound hammer. I build a rest for the end of the rod . This makes for a good wind up and a 2 handed swing. Doesn't take more than a couple swings.

I get a kick out of using a hammer on the ultimate driving machine.