My son came over this weekend to lend a hand on the F150 knuckle update to my 71 Bronco and we were able to remove the knuckle on the driver's side without a problem. However, when we started on the passenger side we hit a big problem. I cannot remove the threaded 'nut' (sleeve) that provides the preload to the top ball joint. I started with a ratchet and eventually used my impact on the tool and it is so tight my OTC tool actually started elongating the slots in the 'nut'. Please see the two attached photos. Has anyone ever seen anything like this happen before?
I had soaked the joint in WD40 but it did not phase it. The only tell-tale sign was that after I removed the top castle nut I noticed that there was a small piece in one of the slots which was a broken off piece of a previous 4-prong tool. At the time I didn't think much about it but now I am thinking that the previous owner may have changed the ball joints in the driver's side and hit the same problem I did on the passenger side and never changed them.
Any ideas what I might try to free up the preload 'nut' which is stuck in the top yoke (not sure what to call it) of the center D44 assembly? At this point the only thing I have thought of is to heat the yoke portion with a torch to try and expand it and then hit the nut with my impact.
Do you think it would accomplish anything to attempt to cut off the ball joint through the boot area?
I am out of any good ideas and would welcome suggestions.
Thanks!
I had soaked the joint in WD40 but it did not phase it. The only tell-tale sign was that after I removed the top castle nut I noticed that there was a small piece in one of the slots which was a broken off piece of a previous 4-prong tool. At the time I didn't think much about it but now I am thinking that the previous owner may have changed the ball joints in the driver's side and hit the same problem I did on the passenger side and never changed them.
Any ideas what I might try to free up the preload 'nut' which is stuck in the top yoke (not sure what to call it) of the center D44 assembly? At this point the only thing I have thought of is to heat the yoke portion with a torch to try and expand it and then hit the nut with my impact.
Do you think it would accomplish anything to attempt to cut off the ball joint through the boot area?
I am out of any good ideas and would welcome suggestions.
Thanks!