Spindle removal
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Nottingham, MD
Spindle removal
Here I go again. I am working on a 93 explorer 4x4 xlt. I need to replace the lower ball joints and front axle u-joints. I can take apart the hubs down to the steering knuckle and spindle. I understand to remove the front axles the spindle has to be removed from the steering knuckle. Then the axle should slide from the carrier through the hole in the knuckle and out. The problem I'm having (and maybe someone can tell me an easier way) is in order to remove the spindle I have to take off what looks like the mounting block for the speed sensor. I'm having trouble getting a socket on the smallest bolt in the truck that holds the block on. Could someone tell me what size socket that I need for this bolt. 1/4" feels like it fits but it doesn't hold. 7mm is too big and 6mm is too small. Could it be a 6.5mm head? I think I have seen such a socket before. Or maybe I'm just going in the wrong direction altogether and the knuckle can be seperated from the arms without the spindle coming off. Could anyone be of assistance to me. Thank you in advance. Chris
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From: Phoenix
Chris - you are trumping me on this job. Wish to have it under my belt now but my tranny took a crap and I'm all about getting it running again.
Are you sure you do not need a 12 point socket? Does the head have 12 or 6 points on it?
Otherwise - if all is loose and nothing in the way, you need to smack the spindle with a rubber mallet back and forth to get it off.
Are you sure you do not need a 12 point socket? Does the head have 12 or 6 points on it?
Otherwise - if all is loose and nothing in the way, you need to smack the spindle with a rubber mallet back and forth to get it off.
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From: Nottingham, MD
From what I can tell the head has 6 points on it. You can see it very easy by turning the front of the tire outward. If you look at the back of the knuckle you will see a wire going to the speed sensor(back side of the speed sensor). Now look on the side of the sensor toward the front of the knuckle. You will see another small bolt, inset deep into the knuckle. Thats the one I'm talking about. Like I said, a socket won't turn it, I can get anything else on the head because it inset so deep. The block on the front of the knuckle over laps the spindle edge preventing it from coming off. And if I even figure out how to take the block off, I still have 13 years of rust and corrosion to deal with to get the knuckle and spindle to separate. Oh, and the other thing I noticed the other day the clamp that is holding the upper ball joint has a weird bolt head. It's like a multi-pointed star with like 20 points and it is inset into the clamp. It doesn't look like any normal socket will fit it. I'm going to attempt to do this today. Any help will be accepted with open arms. Chris
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From: Nottingham, MD
Whew!!! I did it. Well just one side anyway. I replaced the lower ball joint, front shaft u-joint, rotor, brake pads, brake caliper, brake line, cleaned the rust off of all the parts, regreased the race bearings and spindle. It took alot of brake cleaner, wire brushes, hammering, and WD-40. The little screw I was talking about is a 12pt 6mm head. I had a 6pt socket so it didn't fit. I thought it was too little. The bolt holding the upper ball joint clamp is a 12pt 12mm head. The spindle came off after hammering it with a rubber mallet for about 15min. All and all the job wasn't too bad. I just had to go slow because of all the rust buildup. I didn't want to break anything. Putting it all back together, I sanded down and antiseized the spindle for easier removal for someone else next time.
Now I have to do it to the other side and bleed the brakes after that. It should go a little faster now. Wish me luck. Chris
Now I have to do it to the other side and bleed the brakes after that. It should go a little faster now. Wish me luck. Chris
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Phoenix
Good deal Chris. Thanks for the update. I was thinking the 12 point head might have been in use here since Ford seemed to start fancying these. I got done with my new tranny today. What a PITA this was.
OK, breath a little, now on to the ball joints and front Diff leaking....
OK, breath a little, now on to the ball joints and front Diff leaking....
