steering ball joint replacement

[08quadram]

I need to replace the axial ball joint on the left tie rod end. I purchased the ball joint and looks like a easy fix. My question is HOW IN THE $##@ do you get the ball joint loose from the steering piston rod? I know it is just screwed in, but man I cannot get it loose. I cannot get anything to hold the piston from turning. I don't want to damage or mar the surface of it. I noticed that there are a couple of flat spots at the end of the piston, but I don't have a wrench that thin to fit. Is there something I'm missing? I've used PB blaster on it for several days. that never fails. This joint doesn't look that old compared to the other sided. It has been replaced at some point in the past.

any thoughts and/or ideas?

thanks

 

[Daren Todd]

Put the nut back on the threads, leave loose, and a bfh (big flogging hammer) or a slotted fork used to remove ball joints.
Just re-read your post and realized that you have pistons. Not sure on that style

 

[85Hokie]

I need to replace the axial ball joint on the left tie rod end. I purchased the ball joint and looks like a easy fix. My question is HOW IN THE $##@ do you get the ball joint loose from the steering piston rod? I know it is just screwed in, but man I cannot get it loose. I cannot get anything to hold the piston from turning. I don't want to damage or mar the surface of it. I noticed that there are a couple of flat spots at the end of the piston, but I don't have a wrench that thin to fit. Is there something I'm missing? I've used PB blaster on it for several days. that never fails. This joint doesn't look that old compared to the other sided. It has been replaced at some point in the past.

any thoughts and/or ideas?

thanks

the old slotted fork is the trick, still need a BFH to help it off.....

if you want to spend some money....
http://www.amazon.com/OTC-6297-Ball...406558092&sr=1-7&keywords=ball+joint+tool+kit

it will do it without the hammer..........

 

[08quadram]

Getting the tie rod off isn't the problem. Its getting the axial ball joint from the piston shaft is the problem. Is is screwed into the end of the piston. Once that is free from the piston, separating the ball joint from the tie rod end is the easy part. removing the tie rod end is easy. Part #50 on the parts diagram

 

[Daren Todd]

Gotcha, to get on those, you may have to grind down a cheap wrench to fit into the slot on part 50

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

50% of the rams will have flat spots for a wrench on one end of the ram or the other.
If it doesn't, you will need to use the other side ball joint to hold the ram from spinning.

 

[lreops]

What is called a "Pickle Fork" will also work. Along the lines as these, http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...-fork-kit/_/N-26pl?itemIdentifier=291410_0_0_

Ron

Just reread post, maybe not a pickle fork.

 

[08quadram]

50% of the rams will have flat spots for a wrench on one end of the ram or the other.
If it doesn't, you will need to use the other side ball joint to hold the ram from spinning.

You are the man! Didn't think beyond that side of the tractor. Wrench on the other ball joint and easy as pie. I have to say i feel somewhat embarrassed I didn't think of it.

Thanks for the help!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You are the man! Didn't think beyond that side of the tractor. Wrench on the other ball joint and easy as pie. I have to say i feel somewhat embarrassed I didn't think of it.

Thanks for the help!

Don't feel embarrassed! Sometimes the most obvious is the most eluding!

 

[Tooljunkie]

I made a wrench.....

 

[Billdog350]

Sometimes you can't get a good wrench on the other side because the wrong side comes loose! Then you're really in a pickle! In those situations I have used strap wrenches with mixed luck, and usually ended up using a pair of big vice grips with a rag to cushion the teeth, and gripped at the very end of the cylinder. If you're lucky you can grab the opposite joint and you're done....

 

[08quadram]

I thought of that as I put the wrench on the other side. luckily the correct side came loose. I tried vice grips with a rag and couldn't get it to hold on the cylinder.