Steering Parts Question

[Rinzler]

Hey guys, I'm back with my steering parts problems! This started as trying to replace a messed up wheel bearing, then I discovered the bearing was not just messed up, everything in there was fused together since the truck sat in some water for a while. I'm trying to get the knuckle off and can't hoist it up high enough to get it. I need to know what the part in the picture is, in case I end up having to cut it off. I'm sure this all sounds a little deranged, but I just can't get that half moon shaped part off. Does anyone know how to deal with this? I'd appreciate any advice on this since I'm really new to rebuilding Jeeps.

[Skorpyo]

That my friend is a Ball Joint. They're super fun to replace (sarcasm)... If you have the ball joint tool it's not that bad with an impact. Ball Joint tool kits can be "rented" at most auto parts stores. Ball Joints are typically also available at most auto parts stores.

 

This vid is of a wrangler, but same front axle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAyjLXhVX54

[Rinzler]

59 minutes ago, Skorpyo said:

That my friend is a Ball Joint. They're super fun to replace (sarcasm)... If you have the ball joint tool it's not that bad with an impact. Ball Joint tool kits can be "rented" at most auto parts stores. Ball Joints are typically also available at most auto parts stores.

 

This vid is of a wrangler, but same front axle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAyjLXhVX54

The video was really helpful. I can't seem to figure out what the piece that holds the ball joints is called? Would it be completely outrageous if I just cut that off and replaced it since I can't get the hub and knuckle off?

[Skorpyo]

The ball joints are pressed into the axle and the knuckle slides over them. Typically you would remove the retaining nuts that hold the knuckle onto the ball joints and it was come off by lowering it off the bolts. To do so though you MUST pull the axle and hub off the knuckle. In your photo the axle is still in which is what is preventing you from removing the knuckle. You should remove the hub and axle from the knuckle by removing the 3 retaining bolts that keep the hub in the knuckle and then pull the axle out.

 

I believe you asked about removing the hub from the knuckle in a different post. Use the method recommended by using the bolts still slightly into the hub, through the knuckle, and pressing them using the power steering OR place a socket on the bolts and hammer out the hub.

 

If you're certain the hub and knuckle cannot be separated and you're sure you want to replace the ball joints you could cut off the ball joint bolts and that would give you the clearance to remove the axle, hub and knuckle in one piece but that would be a last resort...

[yxmj]

Take a moment a post a couple of more pics....a shot from the front straight on....from the rear straight on and one from the side....will all respect you are doing more work and damaging more parts than need be. 

[Jeep Driver]

You are hung up on the axle shaft, pull the unit bearing and the shaft out first. 

 

Then, the knuckle will fall off. 

[Rinzler]

4 hours ago, yxmj said:

Take a moment a post a couple of more pics....a shot from the front straight on....from the rear straight on and one from the side....will all respect you are doing more work and damaging more parts than need be. 

I agree I'm making it too complicated, but I just don't know how to get that hub piece off. Someone on other forum said heat. Would that just be a torch? I'm going to try the heat + power steering method. I haven't ever used power steering to push a hub off before, so hopefully nothing catastrophic happens! Sorry about the posting in circles!

[yxmj]

Before you try the torch try this.....i see PB blaster in one of your pictures

 

Scroll down to the bottom this  is your picture.....see the seam my pen is pointing to....that is were the unit bearing separates.....spray that seam with pb blaster

 

look at this pic.....this is the UB out.....you can see how it fits in not much holding it in

 

Now

1) put the nuts you took off back on the ball joints and snug them up

2) Put the 3 bolts that hold the unit bearing in back in and turn them in 3 turns

3) Spray that seam with PB blaster again

4) See the tool in the pic i attached....it is called cold chisel .....see if you have one or something similar

5) Put on some gloves and safety glasses

6)Place the chisel almost like the pen in the pic....on the "ear" of the bearing and right on the seam....tap it 2 or 3 times with a hammer...now tap the head of the bolt in the back that goes on that "ear"

repeat that on each of the 3 ears.....shoot more PB blaster on the seam.....look at the pic above.....you just need to get the seam to start to open.....PB blast it again.....try tapping the cold chisel into the seam to open it....work one ear at a time....cold chisel on the seam and tap the bolt.......

 

Sorry if my pics are out of order......

[Rinzler]

21 hours ago, yxmj said:

Before you try the torch try this.....i see PB blaster in one of your pictures

 

Scroll down to the bottom this  is your picture.....see the seam my pen is pointing to....that is were the unit bearing separates.....spray that seam with pb blaster

 

look at this pic.....this is the UB out.....you can see how it fits in not much holding it in

 

Now

1) put the nuts you took off back on the ball joints and snug them up

2) Put the 3 bolts that hold the unit bearing in back in and turn them in 3 turns

3) Spray that seam with PB blaster again

4) See the tool in the pic i attached....it is called cold chisel .....see if you have one or something similar

5) Put on some gloves and safety glasses

6)Place the chisel almost like the pen in the pic....on the "ear" of the bearing and right on the seam....tap it 2 or 3 times with a hammer...now tap the head of the bolt in the back that goes on that "ear"

repeat that on each of the 3 ears.....shoot more PB blaster on the seam.....look at the pic above.....you just need to get the seam to start to open.....PB blast it again.....try tapping the cold chisel into the seam to open it....work one ear at a time....cold chisel on the seam and tap the bolt.......

 

Sorry if my pics are out of order......

I tried your method today and it worked like a charm. I honestly didn't think I'd ever get that thing off, thanks so much! 

[yxmj]

good to hear

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