Upper ball joint/steering knuckle...

[jwrezz]

I went to replace my drivers side half shaft last nite. Things were going fine until I had to separtate the steering knuckle from the upper ball joint. I got the retaining bolt out, but could not slide the knuckle down/out. I pounded up on the upper control arm w/ hammers, tried to pry it up w/ a long iron bar. Nothing separated them. I had the truck on a lift (front suspension at full droop), and also put a lift under the lower control arm to compress it, but I couldn't go very far before the front of the truck came off the lift pads. Should this be done on the ground w/ just a jack or jack-stand under the lower control arm? Rest of truck on ground? Should I relieve some of the tension on the torsion bar? Maybe I'd get some more compression. I put every thing back together w/ the original axle hub nut (says not to, but I didn't wanna have to go to Ford for another new one) so I'd like to get this job done quickly! Thanx much,

 

[JoshC]

Been here before. I'm assuming by the steering knuckle you mean the "male" end on the ball joint that goes down in the female end of the hub assembly (top end)? Well if that is giving you problems then it's probably just rusted up. If you already have the retainer bolt all the way out that thing should just pop right out of there by hitting the upper control arm on the bottom with a hammer. Try spraying some WD-40 in the hole for the retainer bolt and hit the hub assemly a few times around the hole, nothing to hard, i'd hate for you to crack that thing. There is no reason to mess with the torsion bars for this job so that should be good news. Half shaft is the CV shaft right? I wasn't completly sure. Everything should be smooth sailing from there. I did mine on the ground cause i didn't have access to a lift. It's not bad, mine didn't give me problems so i'd say that there is just rust in there or something like that.

Happy trails!!

 

[jwrezz]

Thanx for the tips! I just soaked the front suspension (not the brakes) in liquid wrench. I'm gonna let it soak over nite and go at it tomorrow if I get the time. I'll keep ya posted and include some pics along the way for others to see.

 

[jwrezz]

Here's the link, and a few shots of my day!! Actually it only took 1.5 hrs!
Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed

Dead Link Removed