BigC9164

I'm doing a ball joint job today and have the rotor, calipar and the three 13 mm bolts off that hold the hub to the knuckle. I am under the impression that you do not need to take the spindle nut off to slide the hub off the knuckle.

How do I get this off. I have no access to a torch. I have a chisel set. And a bfh. Not replacing hub so I don't want to damage it.

THANKS!

BigC9164

Cane

you do need to remove the nut... otherwise you can't get anything off


watch from 1:20 if it doesn't load at the right time. she removed it before the 3 bolts on the hub, i don't know if this order is important or not though.

as for the rust, soak it in pb blaster or any other good penetrating oil and hit it with your bfh. honestly unless it's like less than a year old, I'd replace it too. don't forget anti-seize when putting it back together.

BigC9164

No need to remove the nut. Not on my 99 d30 at least. A LOT more work with the chisle and I got her out! Gezz that was tough. Will be sure to put some anti-seiz on there before she goes back in. Don't want to fight that fight next time I need to pull her out

wizardpc

Are you replacing the hub? I did this last friday and after 4 hours of trying the socket trick and a chisel, I was finally able to get it off by hitting the hub with a BFH. Alternating hits on the top and bottom.

Dumajones

Ive done this trick a few times and works great.
put an socket extension between the axle joint and the knuckle like this picture.



Once there you can turn the steering wheel and the hub just pops out.
Its good to have a helper turn the wheel while you watch.

Use lots of Anti seize when you install it back on.


Post 9 in this http://www.naxja.org/forum/showpost....23&postcount=9 talks about the trick also.

Cane

ah alright, wasn't aware of that. the more you know!

BigC9164

Now I am stuck trying to get the upper ball joint off on the driver's side. I have a beefy press. And a 20" breaker bar. The thing is still not breaking free. I don't have a torch. I do have a heat gun. I am 99% sure that would be pointles however. Am I right?

OldTires

Make sure you are pressing the correct way and that you have the cups stacked correctly so you are not pressing against the press itself. Torch won't help, just pressing.

BigC9164

I'm pretty sure I've got it on there right. Been budging the wrench a tad at a time but now I'm to the point where I can not get any more force on it. Maybe bigger breaker bar I guess

BigC9164

You would think a 20" breaker bar would be sufficient. But maybe not

93XJeeper

tighten the press, then hammer the knuckle to break it free, then tighten, and hammer, keep repeating the process till it comes out. You want to hammer on the knuckle around the ball joint while it has pressure on it.

CR-Snow

I had a 36" breaker bar bent like a bow trying to get my uppers off. Eventually, I left the pressure on the joint and hit the knuckle with a cheap mapp gas torch. I know you said you didn't have a torch, but if you're going to the store to get a longer bar, might as well get a $20 torch.

You could just slide a bigger pipe over your breaker bar to get some more leverage.

BigC9164

THANKYOU SO MUCH! Worked great.

93XJeeper

no problem, you use that trick for just about anything involving a puller/press, pitman arm, tie rods, etc. my grandpa taught me the trick.