Dana 44 Knuckle Removal

[jhatcher]

I found a set of flat top knuckles at the pick and pull. Upon trying to remove it I could not get the bottom ball joint nut to break free. It simple spins inside the ball joint. Any ideas on how to remove it? Please keep in mind this is at a pick and pull so no power tools or heat, etc.

Thanks

[jhatcher]

Sorry about the double post. If an admin wants to remove the other that would be great. I hit the back then the forward button and it posted twice.

[dnixon]

you can go and edit it and click the delete post at the top left of the edit screen that will remove it for you.

Sorry I don't have any help on this topic...

[FSJ Thing]

without power tools or a torch, I think you're stuck buying the whole dang axle and torching it out at home. that stinks. :(

[hohner]

Buy a new, sharp chisel and a BFH and split the nut. Shouldn't take too much time but you will have to replace the ball joint (which you were going to do anyway, right?). Good luck!

[jhatcher]

WagoThing - that would work but would be too expensive. With some searching I am sure I can find another one in another yard.

Hohner - I may give that a try but that seems like it may take alot of work. To bad I don't have a battery powered sawzall. I could cut it like butter. smile.gif

I am still open to other ideas if anyone has any.

[hohner]

Like i said..........sharp chisel and BFH and you'll split the nut in under 5 minutes. I've had to do it myself and it's really not too much work. You could also try a large pry bar and have a buddy pry sideways against the knuckle while you turn the nut. I've broke them loose that way as well. If it did'nt work we'd just chisel the nut off and be done with it.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

If in the rig you can place a jack under the lower balljoint and the weight of the rig is sometimes enough to stop it from turning.

[89grand]

Does anybody know where I can get a BFH? And I do mean BIG!

[jhatcher]

Thanks for the info guys. I will give hohner's idea a try first. If that fails or I think it will take to long I will give Crazy_Jeepman's idea a try. They wont let you take jacks into the PNP so I have to scrounge around for one. Last time I was in there I found a good one and hid it in a vehicle hopefully it will be there when I go back.

[JohnnyJ]

A friend and I just pulled a knuckle off the other weekend in a yard using the hammer and chisel trick, except instead of breaking the nut we separated the ball joint. It works fine, just like you don't want to happen to you on the trail.

Big isn't really necessary, we were swinging a 3lb mini-sledge. Took about 20 minutes at most with a few breaks and checking to make sure everything was coming out alright.

[hohner]

I usually use a 2 1/2 - 3# hammer. As long as the chisel is sharp it should cut through the nut in 4 - 6 swings ( as long as its fairly open to get a good swing in). Since the ball joint is already turning it should pull apart pretty easy once the nut splits.