84 f150. Passenger side. I have everything off but the steering and ball joints. Trying to get the steering off with a pickle pulled. I have a mini sledge. No matter how hard I beat on it. It's not working. Is my pickle puller too small? Seems to be about right.

4/18/2011 11:27:30 PM

Iphone fail. I'll get a pic up tomorrow

[Edited on April 18, 2011 at 11:31 PM. Reason : .]

4/18/2011 11:30:20 PM

Thinking about buying a torch. Does northern tool have good ones?

4/18/2011 11:59:30 PM

It all depends on how hot you wanted it to get. Mine is map gas and works great for heating joints and seats.

4/19/2011 5:06:46 AM

pickle fork in an air chisel usually works for me

4/19/2011 7:50:31 AM

air chisel. Jealous.

thanks for the torch Will. back at it tonight.

ghetto picture as promised:





[Edited on April 19, 2011 at 9:27 AM. Reason : .]

4/19/2011 9:21:57 AM

i tried that and ended up snapping the lip on the metal bushing that goes around the joint in the steering knuckle. the things that look like c-clamps with bolts in the middle work really well though.

4/19/2011 9:38:09 AM

Cool I might borrow this from advanced today

4/19/2011 10:31:41 AM

Are you wanting to save that tie rod end? I've never had one that a hammer wont take care of, if I don't need to save the end.

4/19/2011 10:35:24 AM

I figure I will replace that too. It will not come off. I am using a handheld sledge not a 10pm sledge

4/19/2011 12:54:33 PM

Are u talking about hammering down the threaded part?

[Edited on April 19, 2011 at 12:58 PM. Reason : M]

4/19/2011 12:56:05 PM

damn boys, this is basic shit right here. 30 minutes.

4/19/2011 1:04:04 PM

^^ That's what it sounds like to me.
And you can thread a bolt on there if you want to save the threads. Just thread it down until it's almost flush with the top of the tie rod end and hammer the piss out of it to break it free.

[Edited on April 19, 2011 at 1:14 PM. Reason : l]

4/19/2011 1:14:19 PM

Sorry optimus, I don't wrench on cars for a living. Just my spare nights. My apologies for trying to do things for myself and asking for the input of others who are willing to give their seasoned advice, since this is my 1st ball joint job.

Thanks Skack and Adam. Oh.. I already fucked up the threads

[Edited on April 19, 2011 at 1:21 PM. Reason : .]

4/19/2011 1:20:27 PM

Quote :

" Are u talking about hammering down the threaded part?"

you can, but i usually hammer on the body of the tie rod end(below the knuckle.) I normally leave a partially threaded nut on the end so that when it breaks free the tie rod stays loosely connected to the knuckle and doesn't go flying.

heat that knuckle and the thing will pop right out either way.

4/19/2011 1:20:33 PM

^Yessir. Lots of times I'll soak it in Sea Foam Deep Creep or PB Blaster overnight. I never hit the stud or threads, but instead direct a sharp blow to the knuckle body on the side. The shock will usually separate the two.

I don't buy very many tie rod ends or balljoints...just to replace worn out ones.

4/19/2011 2:00:44 PM