STUCK Ball Joint Shaft

[Tyghe Williams]

'94 lincoln tc ...lower ball joint on driver's side seems to be stuck.

Shaft only. bottom section was separated and has been removed.
But tappered shat is stuck, nut and cotter pin is removed.

Have bent and broken pickle forks. and forks not thick enough so have to "shim" .
Used 15 lb sledge
Also tried some heat , but may not be enough .

everything still on car ... not on bench.
What's wrong here...?

[Towncar]

If your talking Ball Joint, it requires a press. It looks like a huge, fancy, fine threaded, "C" Clamp.

Another note, well, call it an observation... you mention using a spacer to get your forks to fit. That spacer is going to absorb impact energy supplied by your 15lb hammer.

Ball Joint, Lower Arm,

SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL(S) REQUIRED:
U-Joint Tool T74P-4635-C


Removal

1. Raise vehicle on hoist.

2. Remove front Wheel Spindle as outlined.

3. Remove and discard joint boot seal.

4. Press out front suspension arm bushing joint using U-Joint Tool T74P-4635-C, Ball Joint Remover D89P-3010-A and Receiving Cup D84P-3395-A4 or equivalent.


Installation

1. Note: When installing a new front suspension arm bushing joint, the protective cover must be left in place during installation to protect the ball joint seal. It may be necessary to cut off the end of the cover to allow it to pass through the receiving cup.

Install front suspension arm bushing joint with Ball Joint Replacer D89P-3010-B, Receiving Cup D84P-3395-A4 or equivalent and U-Joint Tool T74P-4635C.

2. Discard the protective cover and check the front suspension lower arm ball joint to make sure that it is fully seated in the front suspension lower arm and that ball joint seal is free of cuts or tears.

3. Install front wheel spindle as outlined.

4. Check wheel alignment.

[Tyghe Williams]

thank you...
However, so we are on the same page...
It is the tappered shaft of the ball joint unit ( with the actual "ball' on the bottom) that is stuck.

the joint has been separated from wear.

the bottom seat I removed from the lower "a frame"
by heating and it dropped out.

the heating hasn't helped the tappered shaft.

Where are thes toll numbers taken from...?

The Lincoln garage parts guy says i ned to rmove the assembly and take to a shop for hydraulic press to remove.
?

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by Tyghe Williams

...

Where are thes toll numbers taken from...?

The tools referenced are in the Ford Service manual for 1996. The setup shouldn't be much different.

Your profile here dosn't mention where you live... If you were close enough to me I could let you borrow my 20ton press.

Or, you could get This 6 ton press from Harbor Freight for $60??

[Tyghe Williams]

I finally got it out !!!!!!!

First, I did a dogpile search for more info and as I reviewed new and past information, i decided hat i probably should back up and disconnect the caliper and remove the rotor.
Previously I was trying to save time...ha, ha, ha, ! never works.

Then I used a lot of heat from a small torh setup as i had been doing ( MAPP / OXY) and also applied some WD-40 at the top of the shaft after a couple minutes a used a pickle fork and the 15lb hammer ...
this time with the rotor and caliper out of the way I got a much better swing ...and 2nd swing popped right out...

Now trying to get the new one back into the lower arm ... it is part way but looks like I will need a press.

Heat isn't working and small gas canisters go quickly...

so , 95% done now !!!!
thanks for all your help

I saved sites with other info if anyone needs in future.

[Tyghe Williams]

ALL DONE !!!!

A friend reminded me that Auto Zone lends tools for FREE.
So w/ a $100 deposit a got the ball joint Press and pressed the new one into place ... took about 45 minutes to set up etc.

Car drives great ... only did the left... as that one had broken at 164,000 miles.

Will probably do right side in couple of weeks.

Total cost... $25 for part ... $20 for Mapp / Oxy
$10 for Pickle fork... and $0 for Press (rental store) wanted $28.
Total $55
(I had purchased fork set at Sears but they broke so will return for $40)
Local Garage wanted $200 to $250

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by Tyghe Williams

ALL DONE !!!!

Great info!! glad you got it together so quickly!!