Vacuum Seal Removal 2006 F250

[MNFordConvert]

I am replacing ball joints on my 2006 F-250, I have the drivers side stripped down to the point where I just have to pull the axle through the knuckle. On 2005 and previous, you could just put a good sized pry bar on the lip of the axle and pry against the axle tube and it would push the axle out with the vac seal attached. We'll, I'm having no luck doing that on my '06. The vac seal is much larger than the previous years as well as the axle shaft. I don't know if there is a newer procedure to getting this thing out or what. i don't care how caveman I have to get, I have new ones to put in. I tried a punch from the rear too, and it just pops holes in the metal backing....still no budge.

I need to make sure that I still need to pop them out from the back forward, and if I just need maybe a more blunt punch and put some muscle in it or what. Please help me out if you can. thanks.

[MNFordConvert]

Nevermind, got it figured out. I just wasn't hitting them hard enough. Instead of a punch, I used a concrete chisel (short, wide, dull blade) and gave it a couple of whacks with a 2 lb sledge and it popped right out.

Also for anyone interested, for vacuum seal install, both on the axle shaft as well as into the knuckle I used a couple of PVC fittings. NOT pipe, it breaks when you hit it. but the fittings are thicker and heavier, and they're only like 3 bucks at Home Depot. I used a 3 in pipe coupler and a 4 in. pipe coupler, in white schedule 40 PVC. worked like a champ and it's cheap.

[Sticker Monster]

brilliant idea for the seal install. i was about to go buy some steel pipe and make a seal installer. i will have to give this a try first.

SM

[ZMANN]

I use an air chisel for removal And I made the install DIY steel pipe fitting tool but be forewarned it's a different dimension than the older seal tool ( basically u use the next size up pipe and fittings ) but it will last forever

and when your done if the axle is hard to turn you probably didn't seat the seal to the proper depth in the knuckle so do it again