lower balljoint

[steve349]

im stripped down to the knuckle and i can't seem to break the lower part of the knuckle free from the truckside, ive really beat it good with a couple hammers, the top is free i got by hammering in a fork, unfortuneatly the fork isn't big enough for the lower. I've also torched it anyone know where i could pick up a bigger fork or a trick i could use?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

If you have the nut off, spray the crap out of it with a good penetrating oil.

[Power Hungry]

2WD? 4WD? What year truck?

[steve349]

01 or 02 4x4 f-250, nuts off, the problem is breaking the mechanical weld. far as i can tell the original balljoints are on there at 175k miles. The top broke with a pickle fork but i can't find a big enough one at any of the stores near me and i really can't afford to wait and order one online..........

[Power Hungry]

The only thing I can suggest is go online and check for local tool vendors in your area. If there isn't anything like Harbor Freight or Northern Tool, then you may have to resort to Snap-On, Matco, Mac, or Cornwell tool trucks to get the required ball joint separator. That's honestly going to be the only way to get it apart.

Good luck.

[shawnb99]

you could try to warm the knuckle up some, not a lot of heat but just around a 150* should do any harm.

[steve349]

i ended up ordering it online at sears and they shipped it to my local store quick. heat wasn't helping at all, i started the other side and got to the caliper bracket bolts when my 20 year old 1/2in ratchet blew out on me going back to sears to get a new one as soon as im done goin thru my email lol.

[Power Hungry]

Originally Posted by steve349

i ended up ordering it online at sears and they shipped it to my local store quick. heat wasn't helping at all, i started the other side and got to the caliper bracket bolts when my 20 year old 1/2in ratchet blew out on me going back to sears to get a new one as soon as im done goin thru my email lol.

Dang, if it wasn't for bad luck you wouldn't have any luck at all!

[steve349]

Originally Posted by Power Hungry

Dang, if it wasn't for bad luck you wouldn't have any luck at all!

hahahah thats not even the half of it, i can't get one of the u joints back in, can't get the ball joints outta the knuckle and i used both of my 13/16ths sockets to get the caliper mounts off had to hammer them onto the bolts and they are stuck as **** and if i remember right those are the ones i need to remove the hub bolts.. and this isn't even as bad as when i rebuilt the front end on the 91 f-150 i just sold to get this powerstroke making the hub assembley like a one piece deals was the best thing they have ever done..