lower ball joint problems

Hey guys, Im having a problem releasing the tie rod while doing my lower ball joints on my 1999 prerunner.Im using a universal ball joint separator and it worked on the ball joint but not the tie rod.I feel like Im cranking it hard enough but nothing is happening.I tried hitting the knuckle with a hammer but that's not working.Should I continue to tighten down harder?I feel like something bad is going to happen. The name of the joint separator is Gear Wrench. Thanks

 

Do both, put tension on the joint, then smack the housing with a hammer.

It's harder once the ball joint is released and the extension is just hanging.

 

Pics help if you can. Keep the castle nut on there that way when it does pop it doesn't go flying. Sounds like a ton of tension on that one.

 

Thanks Guys, I will try smacking again with pressure on the bolt.There is a ton of tension on there also like you said.Castle nut is on.Should I just keep cranking and hitting?I just feel like somethings going to explode.

 

You're trying to pop the tie rod off right? You need to take the castle nut off first

 

When you hit it with a hammer... You REALLY gotta hit it. A regular hammer isn't enough. You really need something in the 3-5lbs range. Where you hit is important too.

You're not supposed to hit the stud itself, but the metal the stud is in.

When I did my first LBJ job, I tried with a regular hammer and got nothing. Had to go pick up a 4lbs BFH. Did the trick first shot.

Way back in the day, there was a prolific member on TTORA - who made the point that the hammer method works to unseat the tapered connection only when you get the metal to harmonically distort enough to "POP" apart. It takes more effort than you'd imagine.

But I also agree with the aforementioned suggestions- put the puller on there with some tension, and leave the castle nut partially threaded on. Then give it hell with the BFH.

Not sure what you've got the truck supported on- but do be safe. Place the wheel/tire under the frame rail, so that if the truck comes off the jack stand for some reason, it doesn't crush you. If you've just got the truck on a jack, then you really need to support it with a jack stand at a minimum.

 

If you are replacing the tie rod ends try a pickle fork.

 

Ok, thanks for the suggestions. I have a nice small sledge and I will continue to put pressure on and be aggressive with the sledge.

 

Yeah you usually just have to pound on it. Can soak it in pb blaster for a while too when you get tired.

 

The reason for leaving the castle nut on (partially, just barely threaded on) is to keep the thing from really popping loose with a ton of force. I flip the castle nut over and thread it back on so the top is flush with the stud then start cranking on the puller. Reversing the nut ensures you aren't risking damage to the openings/slots.

 

If you do have to hit it @Monkeyman - hit it here




If you can, snap a pic with your phone and share it. Let's see what you're dealing with.

 

Makes sense, when it said it was still on I figured it was still on there torqued and all. I used my pitman puller once to do mine and couldn't figure out for the life of me why the fucker wasn't popping out....I forgot to loosen the castle nut haha.

I always take it off completely but have never had an issue with seized on parts, just pops off once a little pressure with the pitman is applied

 

You need to use the proper front end service tool.

Don't smack anything with a hammer unless you planned on replacing it. Especially anything with threads.

 

Similarly, I learned the hard way not to put a pickle fork near anything I don't intend to replace

 

I've only ever seen pickle forks destroy things.

 

Buy this

 

@Monkeyman

Any of the ones circled in blue will do the job. I usually use the one on the left. This last go-around, I used the one on the right. As long as you're careful to not damage the boot, these will work.

 

lol - last time I saw/used a pickle fork was on a 1967 Firebird. hahaha

 

I used a pitman puller from HF and it came off with ease. Make sure to have the nut on but loose so that it doesn't blow apart on you.

 

I popped it off with the auto zone ones they rent out, just takes patience and dont give up, a pic would help