93 4x4 rounded ball joint stud and pinch bolt help

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 18, 2016 | 12:30 PM

Erika

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2016

Posts: 50

Likes: 0

From: Bensenville, IL

93 4x4 rounded ball joint stud and pinch bolt help

Hi all! We are in the process of replacing the lower and upper ball joints on my 93 4x4 explorer. The passenger side is done. First time doing this. On the driver side, we cannot get the knuckle out. Pounded on the upper ball joint stud to knock it out resulting in rounding the bolt head. Have followed directions in Haynes/Chiltons hammering the steering knuckle by the ball joint to break from the axle arm....nothing. The pinch bolt head is none existent so cut through the pinch bolt...otherwise everything else has been removed and/or loosened to the best of our knowledge.
At this point the camber adjuster is trashed and wondering about cracking it so the upper ball joint slides out?
Suggestions for removing the steering knuckle and the pinch bolt please! On the passenger side the knuckle basically came right out.

Oct 18, 2016 | 12:51 PM

steve(ill)

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,931

Likes: 180

have you tried a pickle fork as a wedge between the arm and knuckle ?

Oct 18, 2016 | 01:08 PM

Erika

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2016

Posts: 50

Likes: 0

From: Bensenville, IL

No, I have not...will get one and give it a shot. Do you think the rounded ball joint stud will be an issue? I have been hammering at that thing and just now using a chisel trying to crack the camber adjuster. I've never done this before but feels like am missing something very obvious.
Thanks for the tip, Steve!

Oct 18, 2016 | 01:37 PM

Erika

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2016

Posts: 50

Likes: 0

From: Bensenville, IL

Woo Hoo, Steve!!! I can hug you....knuckle, upper and lower ball joints are OUT!!!
May get my girl up and running before cold hits after all!!!

Any tips for getting the broken pinch bolt out? The head is gone and we cut it through the middle.

Oct 21, 2016 | 08:17 PM

steve(ill)

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,931

Likes: 180

If it wont POUND out, then it has to be drilled out. I cut the head and nut off and try to pound each out--- heat and penetrant may help.

Oct 21, 2016 | 08:19 PM

steve(ill)

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,931

Likes: 180

you may have the design with the bolt passing thru one half of the clamp and screwed into the other half ? I drilled out with a GOOD BIT, installed a 3/8 inch bolt all the way thru and put a nut on the outside.......... on a 2002 TAURUS.