Steering knuckle Bent down 1/4"

[BroncoBub]

I screwed up when removing my upper ball joint from the 78 f150 dana 44 I bought so I could make the drum to disk swap. I (dumb me) was trying to press the ball joint out the wrong way and in return I bent the upper edge down 1/4". Now when I installed the new ball joints and installed the knuckles to the dana 44 housing the ball joint is 1/4" below the bottom of the upper edge. What should I do. Trash the drivers side and look for another knuckle or is there a way to get the 1/4" back to use it safely? any thoughts?

Thanks Bub

 

[garberz]

Measure the other side and get an accurate measurement of what it needs to be. Then heat and press back the one that you collapsed.

Mark

 

[BroncoBub]

Measure the other side and get an accurate measurement of what it needs to be. Then heat and press back the one that you collapsed.

Mark

I thought about that but, I can't figure out how to do it. I have a 20 ton press.

any thought on how to go about doing it with the press?

Thanks

 

[garberz]

Flip the housing over and run the press through the bottom ball joint opening, to a thick plate covering the upper ball joint opening. Support the housing in the press so you can apply pressure to the outer casting. That’s how I would try first.

Mark

 

[BroncoBub]

Flip the housing over and run the press through the bottom ball joint opening, to a thick plate covering the upper ball joint opening. Support the housing in the press so you can apply pressure to the outer casting. That’s how I would try first.

Mark

I'll give it a try, Thanks

 

[Rustytruck]

before wasting your time make sure the spindle will still bolt on.

 

[BroncoBub]

before wasting your time make sure the spindle will still bolt on.

Wow good catch, I tried to mount the spindle on but it won't go on. I guess you don't know how much damage a 20 ton press will do. Thanks for your help. I'll start hunting down another one or I'll go the gm route. Just in case someone has one the part # is C37937 L.

Bub

 

[DirtDonk]

Sorry to hear that. I saw your other thread too, where you did go the GM route. Too bad you're so far away or I'd buy what you have left from you to help recoup the loss. I'm trying to go Ford again (no performance reason, I just like them) but have not been actively searching out the parts.
Hoping this year's swap-meet will net some for me.

Good luck. Should be able to find someone to take the old stuff off your hands I would think. A lot of Broncos being built up out your neck of the woods.

Paul

 

[BroncoBub]

Sorry to hear that. I saw your other thread too, where you did go the GM route. Too bad you're so far away or I'd buy what you have left from you to help recoup the loss. I'm trying to go Ford again (no performance reason, I just like them) but have not been actively searching out the parts.
Hoping this year's swap-meet will net some for me.

Good luck. Should be able to find someone to take the old stuff off your hands I would think. A lot of Broncos being built up out your neck of the woods.

Paul

Someone on the forum has the part I need so, it looks like I'll have all Ford disc conversion.