Ball joint replacement

[SnowBandit]

Trying to get the ball joint out of the lower a-arm. Took the clip out and ran a bolt thought the joint and a large socket on the bottom broke three bolts so far trying to get the ball joint out. Did this on the other side and it worked although the ball came out part way through removing and I had to use a punch to drive the race out the rest of the way. Anyone have any tricks to getting these things out. I might try a grade 8 bolt next. I spray with oil also thinking it was rusted in.

 

[Deeppow16]

I had to use a press to get them out. They were really stuck. I soaked them in penetrating oil for a day also before I pressed them out.

 

[RustyFIN]

Mine was not tight at all. I used a large socket (32mm?) below and bolt through the balljoint/joint bearing and a socket+ washer+nut at above. What kind of balljoint/joint bearing you use?

I take this opportunity to ask if somebody could take measurements of those 8HK-23754-00 Collars part 31?
And how is the structure... where are those washers located? Right under the shouldered nut and shouldered bolt head OR are they used as shims with those collars?

 

[74Nitro]

Take a mig welder and run a bead around it. Let it cool and try it. Works for me.

 

[SnowBandit]

Mine I think are rusted in. I am replacing them with the new style you show below.

Mine was not tight at all. I used a large socket (32mm?) below and bolt through the balljoint/joint bearing and a socket+ washer+nut at above. What kind of balljoint/joint bearing you use?

I take this opportunity to ask if somebody could take measurements of those 8HK-23754-00 Collars part 31?
And how is the strurcture... are those washers located?

 

[SnowBandit]

Take a mig welder and run a bead around it. Let it cool and try it. Works for me.

Wish I had a rig welder. I have a ball joint press I am going to try and also going to get a grade 8 bolt. Just hope the ball doesn't pop out of socket

 

[RustyFIN]

Wish I had a rig welder. I have a ball joint press I am going to try and also going to get a grade 8 bolt. Just hope the ball doesn't pop out of socket

Don't press at the ball, press at the outer ring. Edit: Sorry, I looked it again and at original it is hard to push at the outer ring, there is not very much available. Try heat the a-arm, but not too much so it does not affect the durability.

 

[RustyFIN]

I think that spindle and joint structure is not good design. Why put the upper joint nut in that tiny hole? It would be better it if the bolt was longer and the nut was at the other layer. Why put the lower joint between two layers? Those collars must be exactly right measures that it does not leave the joint attachment a gap. And if there is a gap, tightening creates tension which might lead to crack.