Remove Adj Sleeve in Yoke? how...

[jetman]

OK, I am nearly finished tearing down the front axle to be used with my K10->K20 conversion. The last thing that needs to be removed are the Adjustment Sleeves from the yoke. This axle came from the junk yard, was pretty rusted up. I have read that the yoke threads are a bit fragile, do not want to mess them up.
Last nite I left it soaking in WD-40. My options as of this morning include:
1) Heat up w/ oxy-acetylene prior to attempting to unscrew.
2) Use hacksaw to split sleeve to allow it to come out easier.
3) Beat the h out of yoke w/ 3# ball peen.
4) Use impact and "4 point socket" to unscrew sleeve.
5) Leave sleeve where it is, install new ball joints.

Anyone have suggestions? Definitely do not want to screw the pooch at this point....

(the ball joints have been broken loose using a fork and big hammer)

 

[hirschdalechevy]

wd-40 is no good for what you are doing , you need pb-blaster , then let it soak and do it a bunch of times. I have had them stuck before and did the blaster thing , then hammered the sides , then used a 3/8" impact with the castle socket and it has worked for me everytime so far.

 

[jetman]

Many thanks for the good advice on the pb blaster!

Soaked the Adjustment Sleeves with pb, let em sit for a couple hours.

The 1st one came off after a few hammer blows to break things up, used the special 4 point socket on a ratchet.

The 2nd Adj Sleeve was a bit more of a fighter. Required more pb, some oxy-acetylene heat then used my little Ryobi 18 VDC impact driver (my only other choice was a big air impact that would have ripped things up if the threads did not release.) The little Ryobi impact was just the right amount of torque and I was able to apply my full body weight to keep the 4 point socket engaged.

 

[firebane]

Ahh the joys of old rusted crap. I will be doing this exact thing myself in the not to long distant future.