Ball joints

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Tbonesteak

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I need help I just bought a 86 scottsdale k20 and decided it needed ball joints and tie rods but I can't get spindle off??? I've heated it and beat the heck out of it now still not coming off?? It has gm 10 bolt axle.
 

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PrairieDrifter

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Try putting a jack under the spindle with a piece of wood in between. A plastic dead blow hammer and keep beating on it. Heat should help.

If anything you can knock the studs out, that should help as well.
 

ali_c20

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Try this:
1: Hit the spindle where the ball joint is from the side with a bfh.
2: Hit the spindle where the ball joint is from the side with 2 hammers of the same weight at the same time from opposite directions. This works only if you have enough space to swing the hammers.
The shock will loosen up the connection of the ball joint and the spindle.
 

PrairieDrifter

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Try this:
1: Hit the spindle where the ball joint is from the side with a bfh.
2: Hit the spindle where the ball joint is from the side with 2 hammers of the same weight at the same time from opposite directions. This works only if you have enough space to swing the hammers.
The shock will loosen up the connection of the ball joint and the spindle.
He hasn't made it to the ball joints yet I believe. Looks like he can't get the outer spindle off not the whole knuckle, to pull the axle shaft out.
 

ali_c20

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He hasn't made it to the ball joints yet I believe. Looks like he can't get the outer spindle off not the whole knuckle, to pull the axle shaft out.
True.
Lots of PB Blaster or WD40, let it sit for some hours, respray, wait again and than work it with a bfh.
Did that on my K5 and they came off after 2 days. Do not hit any of the machined parts.
 
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saltdog

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I had the same problem. Soaked everything w PB Blaster for 3 days and still no joy with the bfh. I finally used a torch to heat the flange up, and worked around the perimeter with air hammer using a wide autobody bit like these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BC2PY46J/ Then a couple smacks with the BFH and popped right off.
 

Tbonesteak

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I'm gonna try the air hammer tonight. I've soaked it in pb blaster for two days. And broke two old screwdrivers and a chisel. Myself an.d two friends beat the crap out of it for 4 hours last night it's starting to look deformed lol but still not breaking loose.
 

ali_c20

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I'm gonna try the air hammer tonight. I've soaked it in pb blaster for two days. And broke two old screwdrivers and a chisel. Myself an.d two friends beat the crap out of it for 4 hours last night it's starting to look deformed lol but still not breaking loose.
Dang that **** is stubborn.
 

PrairieDrifter

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350, 350, 350, 350, 350, 350
Sounds like you're gonna need a sledgehammer and a new spindle.. there's no secret bolts or anything, it's just the mounting nuts and a kind of tight fit. **** happens sometimes.
 

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