Need help with steering knuckle removal..
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 38
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From: Scarborough, ME
Need help with steering knuckle removal..
I'm replacing my ball joints on my 1992 f150 and I've been using this guide (Bronco Ball Joint Replacement - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com) in conjunction with the Haynes manual to get everything apart.
I've completely removed the spindle and dust guard and all that, and I'm at the point where i need to take the axle shaft out so I can get at the bottom bolt holding the knuckle on.
According to the pictures on Bronco Ball Joint Replacement - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com it just says "now you can pull the axle shaft out."
I tried doing that, Then I realized I needed to loosen up a clip on the boot thats sort of near the differential. Did that and romped on the shaft trying to pull it out, but the universals seem a little too big for the hole in the knuckle. So now I don't know what to do, if I could get the axle shaft completely out of the one near the diff, I would imagine I could slide it out the other way, but to get it completely out of that little joint, the universals need to go through that hole, and it seems like they are too big.
I would greatly appreciate some insight into this.
I've completely removed the spindle and dust guard and all that, and I'm at the point where i need to take the axle shaft out so I can get at the bottom bolt holding the knuckle on.
According to the pictures on Bronco Ball Joint Replacement - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com it just says "now you can pull the axle shaft out."
I tried doing that, Then I realized I needed to loosen up a clip on the boot thats sort of near the differential. Did that and romped on the shaft trying to pull it out, but the universals seem a little too big for the hole in the knuckle. So now I don't know what to do, if I could get the axle shaft completely out of the one near the diff, I would imagine I could slide it out the other way, but to get it completely out of that little joint, the universals need to go through that hole, and it seems like they are too big.
I would greatly appreciate some insight into this.
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7
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I ran into the same problem on my 95 f150. I undid the ball joints then pulled the knuckle off. I had to straighten the universal out and then turned it and it fit through the knuckle. I didn't bother to pull the axle, figured there was no need to.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 38
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From: Scarborough, ME
How did you get the lower ball joint nut? There's not enough room to fit a socket in there. The axle shaft sits maybe an inch or two above the nut, there's maybe enough room for an open ended wrench, even with that there's no room to loosen the nut between the axle housing and the knuckle itself. So i'm trying to figure out something else.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
The u joint will fit through the hole, it may have a special grease fitting in the center of one cap that may need to be removed first, should fit through with it but check.
You need to remove the factory clamp at the boot, outer most end. I cut the factory clamp off then use two appropriate size radiator hose clamps (same size) to replace it. Use two so I can tighten them with the screw on em opposite of each other to balance each other out. Only one does the job on the boot, the other is simply tightened on the shaft right next to the boot for balance.
One other thing you may have working against you, the center u joint might be tight, partially or completely froze up. If it is it can and will make it hard to pull the outer shaft out.
Spin the shaft as you pull on it to easy any binding as much as possible. If the center u joint is tight replace it or it will tear up the stub shaft bearings inside the third member.
You need to remove the factory clamp at the boot, outer most end. I cut the factory clamp off then use two appropriate size radiator hose clamps (same size) to replace it. Use two so I can tighten them with the screw on em opposite of each other to balance each other out. Only one does the job on the boot, the other is simply tightened on the shaft right next to the boot for balance.
One other thing you may have working against you, the center u joint might be tight, partially or completely froze up. If it is it can and will make it hard to pull the outer shaft out.
Spin the shaft as you pull on it to easy any binding as much as possible. If the center u joint is tight replace it or it will tear up the stub shaft bearings inside the third member.
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