am i missing something? how do you remove Ball Joints upper/lower on front axle?

[sportsidedan]

i think i'm missing out on something.
i'm currently taking a full dana 44 front axle apart to have it sandblasted and epoxypainted... now, i've got everything out except for the steering knuckes...

what is the right way to do this and do i need special tools???

[fulsizjeep]

Mornin' Dan. I had to figure this out a couple years ago myself. I had never wore one out before. There are a couple threads on it. These stand out.

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=71107&highlight=ball+joints

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=73375&highlight=ball+joint+tool

:fsj:

[jaber]

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=Ball+joint+press&Submit=Go

I bought one of these. It works on LOTS of different needs.

[cmelo]

Heat and a BFH and a bit of muscle. I would heat up the bottom and top then come down hard on the spot just above where the spindle mounts. With just a propane torch I was able to heat it up just fine to get off the stubborn knuckles. After that to get the balljoints themselves out and back in a $30 Harbor Freight ball joint tool worked just fine.