Stuck Ball Joints Tip

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Aug 26, 2017 | 09:58 AM

TheDuke

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From: Texas

Stuck Ball Joints Tip

I've read numerous threads on replacing SD ball joints however none were helpful with breaking the taper of the lower ball joints on my 04 F250 4x4.

AutoZone rents a tool called "Light truck pitman arm puller", if you are replacing ball joints IMO this is the best way to break the old ones loose.

Aug 26, 2017 | 10:20 AM

texastech_diesel

Token Redneck

Joined: Jun 2007

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From: Breckenridge, TX

You mean if the stem is spinning and you can't get the nut loose? Or the nut's off but the taper is stuck in the knuckle? Gotta be the second, just trying to picture it.

Aug 26, 2017 | 11:35 AM

Braggs

Senior User

Joined: May 2016

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Yes, the ball joints are shoved up in those holes good. Years of rust don't help either. On my 1986 F150, I took off the castle nut, turned it upside down, and got a really big sledge hammer to break loose the rust holding it in. It still took lots of banging before she finally let loose. Suggest you try the same.

Aug 26, 2017 | 04:08 PM

82_F100_300Six

Cargo Master

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I like leather gloves, pickle fork, safety glasses and BFH.

Aug 26, 2017 | 07:54 PM

TheDuke

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From: Texas

I mean for breaking the taper. On mine, I hit it with a bfh for 2 hours, pickle fork until it broke, broke a 3 jaw puller, heated with a torch, hit it more with a bfh...the pitman arm puller was the only option that worked.

Aug 27, 2017 | 08:29 AM

FractureCritical

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Joined: Dec 2016

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Get a mapp torch, heat it up to the point that all the crud on it has burned away, then dump a cup of water on it, stick a pickle fork in between the axle and the knuckle, then whack it a few times. It'll come off.