Removing Upper Ball Joints
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14
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Removing Upper Ball Joints
I have been having a hard time removing the upper ball joints from the knuckles of my 81 F250 4x4. I have tried the BFH, C-type press with the correct ball joint adpapters but even with a 20" breaker bar and all I have it won't budge. I have heated the knuckle with a MAP torch, still no luck, (was scared to use acetylene in fear of cracking or distorting the knuckle).
Any one have any tips or tricks?
Any one have any tips or tricks?
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I would say use a ball joint press, but you've already tried that. Man, I don't know what I would do if I were you. I almost didn't get the ones out of my 82 f100. Had to go buy a ball joint press. I did heat mine with acetylene and it didn't hurt anything by the way. Good luck though. Sorry I was no help.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: NW Ohio
I just did ball joints on my 86 F250 last summer, they were all pretty tight. I just had the cheap Harbor Freight ball joint press, and had already distorted it a little trying to get the leaf spring bolts out. For the ball joints, I put pressure on it with the press, then sprayed the joint/knuckle area with PB blaster and let it set for a few minutes. Gave the press another turn, sprayed more PB, after a couple of cycles of this the ball joint popped, then came right out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
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From: Kalispell, MT
Are you sure you're trying to press it out the right direction? Confession of stupidity here, but I once worked trying to press one out only to notice after a while it needed to go the other way.....................fwiw.....mental errors will drive you crazy!
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 71
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From: East Tenn.
Even with the proper ball joint remover tool, I still needed about a 4 foot cheater bar putting close to my whole weight into it just to get an 8th In. movement.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 390
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From: Rose City, MI
When i changed mine i used a ball joint press from the zone a good 1/2 inch drive ratchet and a 8 ft piece of pipe and i bent the pipe to get them to pop at first but then they started to move some. Its a heck of a job for 1 weekend but if short breaker bar wont get it then get some pipe in a good legnth and use lots of penetrating oil.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Don't use heat on a knuckle. It ruins the temper and weakens the metal.
Have you tried an impact wrench? How about hitting the ball joint with an air hammer to break it loose?
Here's what I'd do - parts breaker, air hammer, 1/2" impact. Repeat until it comes loose.
Have you tried an impact wrench? How about hitting the ball joint with an air hammer to break it loose?
Here's what I'd do - parts breaker, air hammer, 1/2" impact. Repeat until it comes loose.