D44 Balljoint Removal

YJJPWrangler

YJJPWrangler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Location
Charlotte
Trying to install new Moog balljoints in my hi-steer knuckles. Can't remove the old ones. Rented the ball joint press and its not moving them either(it is set-up correctly). Anybody have any suggestions before I get the torch out?
 
YJJPWrangler said:
Trying to install new Moog balljoints in my hi-steer knuckles. Can't remove the old ones. Rented the ball joint press and its not moving them either(it is set-up correctly). Anybody have any suggestions before I get the torch out?
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check to make sure the snap ring on the bottom was removed? I have seen some with and some without the clips.

As said, try a shop press to press the bottom out and then the top. Next would be to heat the knuckle with a torch and quench the BJ, then hit it with the press.
 
I did remove the snap rings. I found it odd that they would be there. I do not have access to a shop press(maybe now is a good time to buy one). I do have access to a torch but have to go get it.
 
when you have the c-clamp on it. Really tight. Smack the end of the threaded rod with a hammer. Then tighten again and smack with hammer again. Probably just needs a little help..
 
Jeff B said:
when you have the c-clamp on it. Really tight. Smack the end of the threaded rod with a hammer. Then tighten again and smack with hammer again. Probably just needs a little help..
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Thats a good idea. I will try that today. Would soaking in PB Blaster overnight help?
 
I just did my D44 ball joints a couple weeks ago. I tried my arbor press first (3 or 5 ton, can't remember) to no avail, and ended up using the hydraulic press. I think it was somewhere north of 10 tons to get em moving, and then pretty easy once they broke loose. Heat will help motivate them.
 
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Bfh is you bff with balljoints... clamp and tap like @Jeff B mentioned with pb blaster soaking em is method I've always used! 20+ton press would be short work of it tho! Dead blow hammers wouldn't work for me I was chicken shit to mess up my clamp but bfh came through no damage!
 
I have a 5lb mini sledge and a 20lb BFH. Tried both of them and ended up working my vise loose. I don't have access to a press so I'll use the clamp/BFH method. If that doesn't work, Ill go get the torch and motivate them. My parts guy can get a gallon of PB blaster pretty cheap so that might be a good start.
 
^ that shit works also, considering it's been used since 1940 it's just not readily available or I over look it somehow!? Pb blaster sold me when I bought my first 70s chevy bc rust don't end on those trucks!
 
Haven't been able to find Aerokroil anywhere around here. Its sold regularly down in Georgia but not anywhere up here.I am pretty sure you can special order it from Advance.
 
Be careful with a blue wrench. Super heated ball joints can explode. At the very least cover you with bacon grease temperature flaming sprits of hot death.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Be careful with a blue wrench. Super heated ball joints can explode. At the very least cover you with bacon grease temperature flaming sprits of hot death.
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Thats good advice. Sounds like you have personal experience? When heating with the torch, do I need to heat the bottom of the ball joint or where the threaded shaft meets the joint itself? I'm thinking on the bottom of the ball joint. First time doing this as well so its a learning process.
 
YJJPWrangler said:
Thats good advice. Sounds like you have personal experience? When heating with the torch, do I need to heat the bottom of the ball joint or where the threaded shaft meets the joint itself? I'm thinking on the bottom of the ball joint. First time doing this as well so its a learning process.
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heat the metal around the ball joint, thus expanding whats holding the ball joint in place. stay off the ball joint
 
Jeff B said:
heat the metal around the ball joint, thus expanding whats holding the ball joint in place. stay off the ball joint
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Exactly. I was blessed to be a nagging pant climbing toolbox raiding twerp where my dad managed a Ford Service Department. When I grew up a bit many a good mechanic shared some insight........not just the stash of boobie pics to an eager teenager. Also done a few myself.
 
A great big mother of an air hammer is a "front end alignment man's best friend too".....heat burrrappppp, next heat bbuuuuuuurrrraappp.........money cha ching!
 
Well, that didn't work. Brought the torch out last night and heated up the knuckle pretty good. Ball joints still wouldn't budge even after tightening the !$#@ out of them:mad:. We used a 5lb sledge and hammered the knuckle and the threaded shaft on the ball joint press. No movement at all. I had also soaked the balljoints with PB blaster for a good 3-4 days before hand. I am concerned about overheating the knuckle itself. We got it good and hot but it didn't have any red to it. My buddy suggested just using the torch to cut them out. He's pretty proficient and has done it before, I just dont want these knuckles to get damaged. Aside from getting a press(which I don't have) any other options out there? My compressor will not run an air hammer. I was thinking of going to harbor freight and getting a 6tn arbor press. My issue with that is how to set the knuckle up in the press so that the ball joint gets the full weight of the press. Never thought ball joints would be this difficult.
 
If you want to bring them to lincolnton, I will remove them for you
 
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