STEERING KNUCKLE!?!? WTF?!?

[MustangChris]

How do I get the steering knuckle off the car? the steering knuckle is the part that is attached to the ball joint...

MINE WONT COME OFF... >.< ive tried pickle barring it off, and its not attached to anything except the ball joint... wtf?

 

[BigTang]

what are you using w/ the bar? try getting an air chisel that has the pickle attachment on it. whatever you do don't beat on it from the top because you'll bend it and never get the nut back on.

 

[MustangChris]

we are getting rid of the a-arm and ball joint. im not worried about those parts at all..... lol....

we are just sliding the pickle bar under the knuckle, above the ball joint... then, we hammer like theres no tomorrow. lol.

 

[MustangChris]

same problem on both sides... any suggestions? lol... ill get pics up tonight

 

[BigTang]

put some heat to the spindle, right around where the ball joint passes through it. you don't have to get it glowing or anything just enough to expand it so it frees itself from the press fit. you might have to go buy or rent a wider or thicker tool.

 

[MustangChris]

according to chiltons we have to take out the hub and bearings and junk from under the dust cap, is that true? lol

 

[Paul]

Put a jackstand under the spindle/hub, then whack the ball joint with a BFH. It will pop out.

 

[MustangChris]

so, once the ball joint comes out, the steering knuckle will come off? ill get a few pics up.......

 

[MustangChris]

also: my mistake on placing the thread in the wrong section... :-(

 

[Paul]

The ball joint won't come out, it will just come loose from the spindle. The key is to have the jackstand under the hub, but NOT the a-arm.

If you strike the top of the ball joint where it protrudes through the spindle with a big enough hammer, it WILL come loose, but the threaded portion of your ball joint won't be in great shape anymore either.

Paul.

 

[MustangChris]

<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4359/1841/23395920057_large.jpg">

<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4359/1841/23395920058_large.jpg">


where do i smash the mo-fo with the hammer? lol....

and also, are the brake dust sheilds hard to replace?

 

[MustangChris]

The ball joint won't come out, it will just come loose from the spindle. The key is to have the jackstand under the hub, but NOT the a-arm.

If you strike the top of the ball joint where it protrudes through the spindle with a big enough hammer, it WILL come loose, but the threaded portion of your ball joint won't be in great shape anymore either.

Paul.

oohhhhh!!!! lol... i think ill need a bigger hammer...

will can i grind it off? is it hard to grind off? lol

 

[Paul]

You need to move that jack so that it is supporting only the spindle/hub and NOT the a-arm. That way when you wack the threaded portion of the ball joint the a-arm can articulate "down" and out of the way.

Does that make sense?

 

[MustangChris]

yea.. i should take the spring out first huh? lol makes sence though.

 

[2slo95fiveoh]

yea.. i should take the spring out first huh? lol makes sence though.

Yes, i would slowly lower the A-arm(and steering knuckle assem. since they're still attached) and pull out the spring, if possible.
If not you might have to rent a spring compressor if you are replacing the A-arm. Then, do as Paul stated. Support the Spindle
somehow, Then, IF you're replacing the Ball Joint, smack the Sh*t out of the ball joint threaded part. And there you go.

 

[MustangChris]

gotcha... im glad i dont have to take out my bearing. i didnt understand what the bearing had to do with the ball joint.... lol... stupid chiltons..... i dont have a TQ wrench that goes up to 295ft/lbs! LOL.


ill get a spring compressor tomorrow, and then ill hammer the mo-fo-jo outa the ball joint... im replacing the joint and the a-arm, so no worries there! :-D loli look forward to the destructive-creationism

if i take out the a arm completely will it be easier to take the ball joint outa the spindle?

 

[2slo95fiveoh]

gotcha... im glad i dont have to take out my bearing. i didnt understand what the bearing had to do with the ball joint.... lol... stupid chiltons..... i dont have a TQ wrench that goes up to 295ft/lbs! LOL.


ill get a spring compressor tomorrow, and then ill hammer the mo-fo-jo outa the ball joint... im replacing the joint and the a-arm, so no worries there! :-D loli look forward to the destructive-creationism

if i take out the a arm completely will it be easier to take the ball joint outa the spindle?

If you mean disconnect the A-arm where it meets the k-member, then no.. You would then loose your pivot point for the A-arm,
and if you disconnected it, then you have to support both objects seperately, rather than just supporting the Spindle.

 

[MustangChris]

gotcha... im glad i dont have to take out my bearing. i didnt understand what the bearing had to do with the ball joint.... lol... stupid chiltons..... i dont have a TQ wrench that goes up to 295ft/lbs! LOL.


ill get a spring compressor tomorrow, and then ill hammer the mo-fo-jo outa the ball joint... im replacing the joint and the a-arm, so no worries there! :-D loli look forward to the destructive-creationism

if i take out the a arm completely will it be easier to take the ball joint outa the spindle?

If you mean disconnect the A-arm where it meets the k-member, then no.. You would then loose your pivot point for the A-arm,
and if you disconnected it, then you have to support both objects seperately, rather than just supporting the Spindle.

alrighty thanks bro. ill buy a new BFh tomorrow and go at it! lol

 

[Paul]

Every garage should have a 3 lb sledgehammer. None of this namby pamby claw hammer crap.

 

[BigTang]

here's the hammer list:
rubber shot filled mallet
ball pien
BFH
body hammer set

also a set of punches and a brass bar to hammer into hard to hammer places