having trouble getting spindle off steering knuckle
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having trouble getting spindle off steering knuckle
I have a 92 7.5L f-250 I'm replacing rotor,hub,bearings,seals,and ujoints closest to hub on a front drive dana 44 axel. I'm having a hell of a time geting the spindle off the steering knuckle any tips. in my manual it say to hit it which I did but I don't want to fudge it up. should I just get a softer hammer and clobber it till it comes or what.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Here are two good options....
Rent a slide hammer from autozone, and get the appropriate attachment that would screw on the end of the slide hammer, as well as screw on those threads on the sprindle. My uncle had this tool setup to get my spindles off my truck. Great way to do it because it comes right off.
I don't have that tool, so when I do it on my own I use metal chisels and a big hammer. I spray some PB blaster around the seam, and just work the chisel inbetween the knuckle and the spindle. It takes a little while but it'll begin to separate and you'll get it off. At first you don't make much progress it seems but if you keep at it'll come off.
Wear eye protection!
Rent a slide hammer from autozone, and get the appropriate attachment that would screw on the end of the slide hammer, as well as screw on those threads on the sprindle. My uncle had this tool setup to get my spindles off my truck. Great way to do it because it comes right off.
I don't have that tool, so when I do it on my own I use metal chisels and a big hammer. I spray some PB blaster around the seam, and just work the chisel inbetween the knuckle and the spindle. It takes a little while but it'll begin to separate and you'll get it off. At first you don't make much progress it seems but if you keep at it'll come off.
Wear eye protection!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Thread the spindle nuts back onto the end of the spindle. The center part of the puller pushes against the end of the axleshaft. Worked like a charm for me.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Ohh, when you said spindle nuts I thought you ment the little nuts that go on the studs. You mean the big nut that screws on the threads at the end of the sprindle, ooookkk I gotcha.
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Hitting the spindle with wood and a hammer is the only thing that worked on my F250. The chisel wouldn't budge it, the puller wouldn't budge it, and I didn't rent a slide hammer. The first side came off withing 15 hits (up, down, left right) after messing with it for hours with chisels and pullers. Then the second side came off in less than a minute, no chisel or puller, just a good ol 4lb hammer and a 2x4.
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Originally Posted by bustnfix
I have a 92 7.5L f-250 I'm replacing rotor,hub,bearings,seals,and ujoints closest to hub on a front drive dana 44 axel. I'm having a hell of a time geting the spindle off the steering knuckle any tips. in my manual it say to hit it which I did but I don't want to fudge it up. should I just get a softer hammer and clobber it till it comes or what.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Groveland, MA
I used oxy/acetylene to heat up the flange (not way hot), and then ice to cool it down, and after a couple of cycles, I got it apart with a BFH. It wasn't too bad, once I started with that approach.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
I don't know if I like the rapid heating/cooling cycle method. The heat changes the properties of the metal and could damage it. Also, I wouldn't want to damage it with the heat cycles (rapid expansion and contraction).
I had no problems getting mine off with either the slide hammer or chisels, and I think the puller method mentioned above is also a great idea if those don't work. One of those methods should work.
I had no problems getting mine off with either the slide hammer or chisels, and I think the puller method mentioned above is also a great idea if those don't work. One of those methods should work.