i hate ball joints

[mldeolde]

any one have as much trouble as I do with ball joints??? I have a full assortment of pickle forks and even one of thos cheepy chineese screw type ball joint separators . yet with all these tools I am having a hell of a time separating the ball joints on the center link of the monza . the center link as you guys know has to be changed out when converting from manual to power steering and there is a plethora of ball joints involved in this and I have yet to get one done. am I just an idiot when it comes to these or do they fight any of you as they do me???

[cammerjeff]

They can be a real PITA!!!!! But I have had the best luck loosening the Nut but keeping it on the last few threads, Then hitting both sides of the Spindle with large Ball Peen Hammers at the same time. It usually takes more than a couple of hits, and every once in awhile some heat. But it has worked for me 99% of the time.

[hammerdown7]

Squirt some Kroil on the shaft. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Dick

[Smiley]

Air chisel pickle forks work for me.

[vegastre]

BFH

I have been using Jeff's method for years. The trick is use a large hammer with some weight. I use a large steel hammer that I made for this exact job. The second trick is not to be afraid to power into the end of the spindle. I take the nut off and give it a couple of good wacks and presto off it drops.

[79MonzaSpyder]

Ya, I use a 2 1/2 lb mini sledge with about a 10" handle and don't be faint of heart. Usually one or two good whacks and it pops apart. Been doing that since my dad showed me that 30 years ago. Of course the first time I did it I couldn't get it to work, I was just tapping it and my dad came along and said, "no LIKE THIS!!", and two good whacks and it came apart and then I realized I just had to put a little more behind it.

[Diesel Dan]

Of course the first time I did it I couldn't get it to work, I was just tapping it and my dad came along and said, "no LIKE THIS!!",

Yup, 30 yrs ago I stopped by some buddies working on a CJ5 trying to replace the tie rod. They took the nut off and were pounding straight down on the stud and had it all mushroomed over. I hit the side of the knuckle twice and it popped off.

There response was "where were you an hour ago! "

[mldeolde]

from the replies I ve gotten I feel I must be describing the area all wrong for you guys. it is nothing to do with the spindles or ball joints there. it is the actual center link and the little joints to the tie rod ends on eighther side and the one that connects to the frame rail on the passenger side and to the steering box arm on the drivers side. much smaller joints.

[mldeolde]

PS: its so cold here today its hard to get to working over at my storage until noon seeing as its only going to be 70 degrees today. one of the few things I can tolerate here in southern California now days. they said it might snow in the mountians about 30 minuets away yesterday and now it is 70 degrees today.

[Monza Harry]

from the replies I ve gotten I feel I must be describing the area all wrong for you guys. it is nothing to do with the spindles or ball joints there. it is the actual center link and the little joints to the tie rod ends on eighther side and the one that connects to the frame rail on the passenger side and to the steering box arm on the drivers side. much smaller joints.

No they are describing the right fix to the tie rod ends, center link, idler, and pitman arm. These can give you grief if they are super worn or old. I had an old Safari van that I couldn't get the tie rod end free on, I had bought the air hammer fork as there was no room to swing on the end I had to replace [AWD as well] I had to wait for my brother to get home and he hit the fork and I laid underneath with the 4# Sledge, still put up a good fight.

[vegastre]

No they are describing the right fix to the tie rod ends

Thank you Harry...

[mldeolde]

finally got them mostly done. talk about over kill had to buy a new 4 lb sledge hammer to do it. such a big hammer to break loose such small ball joints. what is that old saying??? if it wont work get a bigger hammer. in this case sooooo tru !!!