Piece of upper balljoint stuck in spindle

[carlover]

Those of you cali guys probably know what im talking about if you were at truckhaven lol. I snapped my upper ball joint off in the spindle. Now ive been trying to get that piece out and i cant get it to budge. I need my truck back up soon, anyone have any ideas how to get it out?? Ill get some pics up tommorow if need be...

 

[cybergasm]

Hmmm can't you remove the bolt from the spindle and spread it alittle with screwdriver than knock it out the way it goes in?

Otherwise i think pics would helpful here

 

[carlover]

Bolt is already out, and used a screwdriver, prybar, and other forces and lots of cursing and it still wont come out lol.

 

[cybergasm]

The only other thing i can think of is to use a little heat on it and see if that will help.

 

[Turdle]

The hole fror the upper ball joint stud doesn't go all the way through-you can't get behind it. I have real good pics if you need 'em-

 

[carlover]

Yeah thats the next step. Im a little nervous heating up a cast spindle though... Thanks, i might even use heat and an ez-out thing.

 

[IZwack]

Do you have access to a welder? If so, taper the threaded end of a long bolt (at like 45-degrees) and weld it on top of the broken ball joint so you can have something to grip (with a slide hammer or something).

The heat from the welding process should help break the bolt free.

Heating cast isnt a big problem, you just have to do cool it down slowly (as opposed to splashing water on it )

 

[carlover]

Do you have access to a welder? If so, taper the threaded end of a long bolt (at like 45-degrees) and weld it on top of the broken ball joint so you can have something to grip (with a slide hammer or something).

Heating cast isnt a big problem, you just have to do everything slowly -- including the cool down process.

That might work, but i think the end is to far down in the spindle to get a welder into. Im gonna take some pics right now so you guys can see what im talking about.

 

[carlover]

Here are some pics.

 

[IZwack]

Wow your right, dunno how I'd get that out. Looks like trying to split it open as much as you can is the best approach.

 

[RangerNate]

That's a weak design and having it a blind hole makes it even worse. What was Ford thinking???

Looks like time for a new (to you anyways) spindle or pay a competent machine shop to EDM it out, but that may cost more than a good used spindle.

 

[carlover]

That's a weak design and having it a blind hole makes it even worse. What was Ford thinking???

Looks like time for a new (to you anyways) spindle or pay a competent machine shop to EDM it out, but that may cost more than a good used spindle.

Unfortunatly a new spindle isnt really a viable option. They are not stock spindles and finding a replacement is gonna be very difficult. Im gonna try heating it up a little and spreading the slot a little and see if i can get it out that way.

 

[dogfriend]

Yeah thats the next step. Im a little nervous heating up a cast spindle though... Thanks, i might even use heat and an ez-out thing.

I think you might be able to drill it and use an ez-out. Good luck man.

 

[IZwack]

I guess if whatever is left of the ball joint doesn't go past the end of that slit - you could clamp it down on a drill press and drill away as much of the ball joint out (but not all the way to the walls of the spindle), and then collapse whatever is left with a screwdriver or something (via the slit).

 

[JDraper]

I think you might be able to drill it and use an ez-out. Good luck man.

I think that would be my next try. Get an ez-out in there, pry the slot open with a prybar and then tap on the side of the spindle with a hammer while pulling on the ez-out.

 

[Turdle]

I guess if whatever is left of the ball joint doesn't go past the end of that slit - you could clamp it down on a drill press and drill away as much of the ball joint out (but not all the way to the walls of the spindle), and then collapse whatever is left with a screwdriver or something (via the slit).

Your a great thinker--that is a good idea--

I was wondering if a chisel could be driven into the slit-just enough to open it a bit and hold it there.

 

[Exploderpilot]

you'll get it dude, or i will monday....

 

[IZwack]

Your a great thinker--that is a good idea

Thanks, it was one of those 4:30 am ideas (fell asleep too early last night). My sleeping schedule is waaay off.

 

[carlover]

Thanks for all the ideas guys, i will be giving this is go tommorow.

 

[IZwack]

How much is a new replacement knuckle btw?