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i have a 73 chevy k 10,i cant remove the ball joints or the ...
Sent to Car Experts on February 23 2006 at 12:55pm
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i have a 73 chevy k 10,i cant remove the ball joints or the u joint....im on day 5...please help
Optional Information:
Pre-1981 Chevrolet k-10 350
Already Tried:
map gas,pry bar,sledge hammer,jack
Customer (name blocked for privacy) (Online) -- 1 Accepts/1 Questions
Answer sent February 23 2006 at 1:08pm (13 minutes later) ACCEPTED
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These can be very difficult to remove, especially if they are original and have had 30 years to rust in place!
There are 2 effective methods of getting the ball joints out of the control arms:
(1) You can use an acetylene torch to heat the entire area AROUND the stuck ball joint untill it glows dull red, and then use a sledge hammer to beat it out of the socket. A small propane or Map gas torch will not get the assembly hot enough; it needs to be glowing red for this to work.
(2) The correct method of removal is to use a ball joint press. This is essentially a very heavy duty C-clamp, with an assortment of adapters to fit around the ball joint. The big advantage of this tool is that it will press the ball joint out and the new one back in without damage. It also can be used to change U-joints without damageing the driveshaft.
Here is a link to a tool site so you can see what the set looks like:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=75395&group_ID=1631
These sets can be purchased from other suppliers at much lower prices (around $300), and the cheaper ones work very well. In addition, many tool rental places also have these available, usually around $20 for a day.
I hope this is helpful, if so, an accept would be most appreciated! Thanks!
Steve7654 (Offline) -- Auto Service Technician -- Rating: -- 508 Car Accepts
24 yrs ASE L1 Master Technician, Service manager, TSS Service Specialist
Reply sent February 23 2006 at 1:31pm (23 minutes and 6 seconds later)
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the ball joints...do theese push up,and then the screw end drops?
Customer (name blocked for privacy) (Online) -- 1 Accepts/1 Questions
Reply sent February 23 2006 at 1:33pm (2 minutes and 19 seconds later)
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if i accept,will it keep charging me to ask u personally questions
Customer (name blocked for privacy) (Online) -- 1 Accepts/1 Questions
Answer sent February 23 2006 at 1:44pm (10 minutes and 9 seconds later) Action Required
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you are working on a 4wd frt end correct
you have to remove the rotor and spindle/caliper mount
then the axle will come out
then remove the nuts on both ball joints and use a pickle fork to remove steerring knuckle
next check for snap rings on bottom of ball joints some have them some don't the drive the lower out first the use a something to go through the lower hole to press out the upper ball joint they are press fit but willt be very hard to to get out there is a preload sleeve in the upper hole in knuckle you will need to remove this a new one should come with ball joints and when you reassemble and put knuckle back on then tighten the lower joint first then install adjuster sleeve and torque to spec(45 ft lbs I think off top of my head then install upper nut and tighten and finish reassembley
use of the ball joint press listed above will help alot
good luck
Edited by crazi429 on February 23 2006 at 1:44pm
Tim Basham (Online) -- OutBack Auto 4wd &Fab -- Rating: -- 4 Car Accepts
25 year multi line tech ASE cert master tech ASE engine machinist
Reply sent February 23 2006 at 1:52pm (8 minutes and 7 seconds later)
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the nuckle between the half-shaft and spindle(?)(where the u joint sits)wont slide out enough to allow either ball joint to drop(on the threaded end)so do they have to raise up out of their seat before the threaded end will drop.(every thing has been removed save for the ball joints and u joint.
Customer (name blocked for privacy) (Online) -- 1 Accepts/1 Questions
Reply sent February 23 2006 at 1:58pm (6 minutes and 13 seconds later)
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i rented a ball joint puller,and striped it out,(the wife is gonna be pissed)my chilton is telling me to use a vice for the u joint(after the ball joints are removed)but the ball joints wont come down any further until the u joint is removed...
Customer (name blocked for privacy) (Online) -- 1 Accepts/1 Questions
Reply sent February 23 2006 at 2:04pm (5 minutes later)
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pre-press sleave?that might be the problem.but the u joint is identicle all the way around,there were inner snap rings,they have all been removed.
Customer (name blocked for privacy) (Online) -- 1 Accepts/1 Questions
Reply sent February 23 2006 at 2:25pm (21 minutes and 41 seconds later)
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please
Customer (name blocked for privacy) (Online) -- 1 Accepts/1 Questions
Answer sent February 23 2006 at 2:26pm (56 seconds later) Action Required
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the axle shaft has to be removed to remove the knuckle if you have the rotor off the you will find the spindle retained with 6 nuts remove them and and then with some effort the spindle will come off then you will be able to remove the axle shaft and then the knukle will come out
once you have the axle shaft removed you willbe able to disassemble the ujoint on the bench remeber it also is a press fit so does not come apart easly
Tim Basham (Online) -- OutBack Auto 4wd &Fab -- Rating: -- 4 Car Accepts
25 year multi line tech ASE cert master tech ASE engine machinist
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