View Single Post
Old 03-24-2006, 01:05 PM   #6
mike2004tct
AF Enthusiast
 
mike2004tct's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sussex, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,073
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Re: replacing ball joints, having difficulty

Sounds like your CV shaft is rusted pretty well to the hub.
Here's what I've done in the past. Heat around the spline edges of the shaft and the hub with a small propane torch for a good 10-15 minutes. That should limber the sucker up. With the large nut back on the shaft, turn the nut so that it's ouside is flush with the shaft and wail on that thing with a 5 pound sledge. That should loosen it up.
If you have an acetaline torch, that would be even better.
I've gone through a least 1 propane torch a year for over 25 years now, doing just this procedure, whether it be to remove ujoints, strut bolts, shocks - heck, you name it, I've torched it (except the gas tank).

About $10.00 for a propane set at the hardware store. 5 pound sledge should be about the same in price.
__________________
It's my opinion, don't take it personal.
'04 T&C,'01 Blazer ZR2, '97 Blazer, '97 Sunfire, '85 Vette, '79 Civic, 94 FLSTC
mike2004tct is offline   Reply With Quote