Steering Knuckle removal from housing???????

[sirhk100]

Help!! It's 10:30PM and I'm pulling my hair out!! I know I'm doing this backwards but I'll do a search when I'm done typing.

Here's my problem. I'm replacing ball joints on my '92 Exploder on both sides. I've got everything off and I'm at the point in the book where it says "hit the steering knuckle close to both the upper and lower ball joints to break it loose from the housing" I'm absolutely 100% positive that I've removed everything and the only thing that is still on is the lower ball joint nut but it's loose and positioned flush with the end of the stud for pounding purposes with 1/8" gap under it. I've beat the hell outta the knuckles on both sides and can't get them to budge!!! Any tricks to getting them to pop loose. All that's holding them is the stupid taper and I can't get it to let go. I'm going to bed and plan on pounding harder in the morning so any replys would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
Thanks!!

 

[MyExp]

You are pounding in the right direction right? I changed my ball joints a year ago or so and remember having a little trouble with the driver side knuckle comming off.

I think what I did was get a really long breaker bar and prying on it while a friend beat the hell out of it with a small sledge hammer.

It sounds like your ball joints are still really tight which I think is a good thing.

Good luck.

Brian

 

[CoryL]

Check out this link.... Ball Joint Help

Hope that helps.

 

[jimmiecakes]

Check out this link.... Ball Joint Help

Sounds a tad brutal..... why not just visit your local toolmonger and buy a "pickle-fork". This save both your nerves and your car....

All this stuff under your vehicle may be cast iron and steel, but it's not the immovable (read as unbendable) object some people think

 

[mrboyle]

Originally posted by jimmiecakes


Sounds a tad brutal..... why not just visit your local toolmonger and buy a "pickle-fork". This save both your nerves and your car....

All this stuff under your vehicle may be cast iron and steel, but it's not the immovable (read as unbendable) object some people think

Considering that he is replacing the ball-joints a "pickle-fork" will work, but it usually is only recomended as a last resort if you are planning to reuse the current ball-joints. This is because 90% of the time when you use a pickel fork you end up destroying the joints dust boot. :frustrate

If anyone else is trying this I recomend using a 3lb. sledge and the snot out of the knuckle. It may mar the surface, but I have never seen it hurt anything.