Lower Front Strut Ball Joint, Tapered Thread Stud removol Options

[wndsnd]

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I am really second thinking buying this car that lived in MAINE its whole life. Nothing is as it should be during dissasembly, and I am working with penetrants, heat, leverage, and will power and destroying almost everything coming off.

I am now on replaceing the front struts and am at the lower ball joint. The Hayes manual calls for a hex nut or taperd thread stud. I think I have the later after removing the nut from one side.

This stud I have map torched, and soaked with penetrant, and have pounded on with a mallet. looks like a little give on the other side but I don't think I am using the propers tools or technique. Any help or advise would be appreaciated... At this point it I am flatening the end of the stud.

John

[malaga_red75]

John,

I just did this during my 5-lug conversion. I also had the tapered thread stud.

While it is a PITA to get out, I just used a hammer (they will need to be replaced anyway) and went at it. It eventually came out.

One recommendation is to put a jack underneath the ball joint and jack it up so there is just a little bit of pressure of the ball joint. This will help 'neutralize' the forces on the joint itself.

Also, if you have access to a tie-rod puller (ball joint separator), it can be maneuvered (depending on the style tool) and used to press out that stud.

All else fails, get a bigger hammer.

-Peter