I've already replaced passenger side ball joints. I didn't have to put that much pressure on them with the press before they gave. I'm currently working the drivers side. I've got so much pressure, I can see a little bowing in the press.


Ball joint under pressure on bench in the vice

It stood soaked in Tri-Flow lube under pressure overnight. Its currently soaking in PB Blaster under pressure.

I regularly bang on it with my hammer. I've even tried using my compressed air impact wrench to loosen/tighten the press's screw.

If it doesn't give, heating via torch seems to be next. Any other ideas on how to convince my lower ball joint to give?

How concerned should I be about breaking the press {rental from local auto parts store}? I can add leverage to my breaker bar... 6' length of 1" black pipe available...

Just in case it matters, the steering knuckle belongs on my '96 F350 PSD.

thanks
Mike

 

I may be wrong. It looks like your pressing it the wrong way?????

 

Not according to how the other side came out

After adding heat and more pressure via extended breaker bar handle, decided it was stuck tighter than I could unstick.

I was entertained when calling around for a machine shop to do it for me. They weren't setup for front end work. Finally found local shop that specializes in working on trucks. Dropped it off and picked it up an hour later sans ball joints.

 

Glad to hear it. Mine front end is whooped. That's next on the things to do

 

Wonder how they got it out? Bigger press?

 

A few months back I did ball joints on my dads truck for him. Chevy 2500. Ball joint was stuck beyond stuck.

I ended up using my plasma cutter to cut a 3/4" hole in the top of the balljoint. After I did that all the pressure was released and I was easily able to air hammer it out. Probably not the right way to do it, but hey it worked for me.