Thanks for the drawing and better description Chas.

I used this method for years in conjunction with a ball joint puller/splitter/whatever, on stubborn overtightened ball joint tapers on tractor steering components.

Brian.

You can get a free pickle fork at any Auto zone. They lend all sorts of tools.

Cheers, Mike

Wow, Thanks taking the time to make the diagram! Should make that a sticky topic. I'm sure it will definitely help someone in the future.

I ended up running out last night and picking up a ball joint separator. I managed to get them off, but I still can't believe the amount of force it took. Then it was a gun shot when they released. I analyzed the mushrooming before hand to see if it had expanded enough to effect movement. I didn't think I damaged it that much. Once it went, it bloody well exploded apart. Both sides. Wow.

Good result. Sounds as though they were overtightened in the past.

This is the method i use, only with a steel block behind if possible.

Edited June 29, 201410 yr by olzed

Works for me.

Carl B.

Good job. I agree with olzed. Sounds like someone overtightened them maybe trying to get to the next opening in the castle nut.

If you tighten them to the torque quoted in the FSM specs, you can nudge them a little further to the next castle nut opening without overtightening them. You probably wont be removing them again, but if so or the next owner you have an easier job getting them free.

Chas

I've only used a ball joint separator on such tasks, but just in case you don't know, stand clear when using it. Every time I've used it the two pieces blow away from each other. From the looks of the tool, you'd assume it slowly separates them, but yeah... they tend to loudly pop apart.