Help with I-Beam install (please!)
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Junior User
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Help with I-Beam install (please!)
After some of you kind people pointed me in the right direction to find lowering parts for my father-in-laws '85 F150, I'm in trouble!
I can't figure out how to get the old ones out. The book is very UNCLEAR. The problem is at the spindles. I'd like to post a picture of what is troubling me, but seem to be having problems with that too.
I'll try again to get the pictures to work. Be right back.
I can't figure out how to get the old ones out. The book is very UNCLEAR. The problem is at the spindles. I'd like to post a picture of what is troubling me, but seem to be having problems with that too.
I'll try again to get the pictures to work. Be right back.
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Junior User
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Ok, so I have to link to pictures on-line right? Well, thats' what I did.
www.wrongmotor.com/ibeams.htm
Alright.
How do these things come off?
And, is that a "camber" adjustment on the under side of the top ball joint. It won't budge at all!
Do I need to seperate the ball joints?
Or do they "pop" out on the I-beam somehow?
Thanks for any help!
www.wrongmotor.com/ibeams.htm
Alright.
How do these things come off?
And, is that a "camber" adjustment on the under side of the top ball joint. It won't budge at all!
Do I need to seperate the ball joints?
Or do they "pop" out on the I-beam somehow?
Thanks for any help!
Last edited by LS1 Powered; May 9, 2007 at 06:09 PM. Reason: tested link first
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,711
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From: Pittsburgh
Take the lower nut off as well and then go get a "pickle fork" AKA ball joint splitter, aka tie rod splitter.
It's a tapered fork that you stick in between the BJ and the spindle. judicious use of a hammer forces the knuckle down and splits it away from the joint.
Justin
It's a tapered fork that you stick in between the BJ and the spindle. judicious use of a hammer forces the knuckle down and splits it away from the joint.
Justin
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Thanks. I own the fork, and can do what you said. However, the ball joints will still be in the I-beam. My new DJM Dream Beams will need them. What I also need to know, is there some trick to getting them out of the beams?
BTW, that lower is already out. What about the washer looking thing on the bottom of the upper ball joint. I think it's for camber alignment, but it WON'T move at all!
BTW, that lower is already out. What about the washer looking thing on the bottom of the upper ball joint. I think it's for camber alignment, but it WON'T move at all!
Last edited by LS1 Powered; May 10, 2007 at 10:09 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,711
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From: Pittsburgh
I'd just buy a new set of balljoints. With the chance you'll mess one up while pressing them out it'd be worth the saved headeache. They're only $20 each or so.
As for the camber sleeve, split the ball joint from the knuckle, then grab the camber sleeve with a pair of channel locks and give it a twist. The sleeve has a split in it that allows it to collapse just enough to come out without any hassle.
But if you really want to try and resuse the joints you'll have to use a balljoint press and do it squarely. If it ***** at all you'll mess up the interference fit between the joint and I-beam.
Justin
As for the camber sleeve, split the ball joint from the knuckle, then grab the camber sleeve with a pair of channel locks and give it a twist. The sleeve has a split in it that allows it to collapse just enough to come out without any hassle.
But if you really want to try and resuse the joints you'll have to use a balljoint press and do it squarely. If it ***** at all you'll mess up the interference fit between the joint and I-beam.
Justin
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hoxiii, you rock!
Since some time has passed w/o much help, so I decided on my own course of action.
It's EXACTLY what you suggested.
I have new ball joints and camber sleeves. This meant I could just beat the crap out of the thing with the joint fork, and go on my merry way. And that's what I did! The old I-Beams along with the VERY rusted in ball joints will go out with the trash. The new DJM Dream Beams are getting new ball joints and sleeves, and all is good!
Thanks for at least replying with some helpfull information!
I know it's an old F-150 and not exactly the most popular choice for a fixer-upper, but still it's my father-in-laws and he loves it. Thanks again!
I'll keep posting as progress continues. Actually I posted up a bunch of pictures yesterday....
www.wrongmotor.com/truck.htm
Link #9 is the newest.
Since some time has passed w/o much help, so I decided on my own course of action.
It's EXACTLY what you suggested.
I have new ball joints and camber sleeves. This meant I could just beat the crap out of the thing with the joint fork, and go on my merry way. And that's what I did! The old I-Beams along with the VERY rusted in ball joints will go out with the trash. The new DJM Dream Beams are getting new ball joints and sleeves, and all is good!Thanks for at least replying with some helpfull information!
I know it's an old F-150 and not exactly the most popular choice for a fixer-upper, but still it's my father-in-laws and he loves it. Thanks again!
I'll keep posting as progress continues. Actually I posted up a bunch of pictures yesterday....
www.wrongmotor.com/truck.htm
Link #9 is the newest.
Last edited by LS1 Powered; May 11, 2007 at 11:30 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
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Nice weblink. Fantastic job on the truck as well. I'm doing a similar rebuild on my 79 also, 90 5.0 EFI swap, interior upgrades, body work, fresh paint etc. I'm still in the planning and parts gathering stage for now.
