Drag link ball joint and getting them apart

[VerMonsterRV]

Hey guys, not sure if this is what these parts are called but coming out of the power steering pump there is an arm that points downward. This arm is connected to a drag link bar that goes back to the wheel hubs so you can turn. Well the little boot for the ball joint that comes off the power steering pump is falling apart. I have found what I think is a replacement boot (time will tell), but am not having any luck getting the stud of the ball joint out of the arm. I have tried a puller with no luck. I have seen some YouTube videos where they smash the hell out of the arm with a small sledge hammer while having tension on the arm. Plus using an acetylene torch (which I don't have an doubt I would try). Any thoughts on an "easy" way to do this?

 

[NatersXJ6]

Pickle fork and a small hammer (2-3 lb hammer).

c-frame ball joint press

 

[Neil]

Jon

I have replaced the entire drag link including the joints twice, and the tracked once. They are tough to separate.

My method was to use a ball joint separator , like in the picture . I then put yje joint under immense pressure and hit the outside of the joint on both sides simultaneously with two club hammers. It took some time but eventually they went .

Applying heat to the outer part of the joint and soaking it in a light penetrative oil can help.

Take some accurate measurements of the old joints position , maybe put a mark on the dragging bar and measure to the centre of the joint. This will allow you to put the new one back in the correct place and preserve the tracking and keep the steering wheel centred

Neil

 

[VerMonsterRV]

Jon

I have replaced the entire drag link including the joints twice, and the tracked once. They are tough to separate.

My method was to use a ball joint separator , like in the picture . I then put yje joint under immense pressure and hit the outside of the joint on both sides simultaneously with two club hammers. It took some time but eventually they went .

Applying heat to the outer part of the joint and soaking it in a light penetrative oil can help.

Take some accurate measurements of the old joints position , maybe put a mark on the dragging bar and measure to the centre of the joint. This will allow you to put the new one back in the correct place and preserve the tracking and keep the steering wheel centred

Neil

Thanks Neil, do you remember where you found one of those separators big enough? The ones I see online look line the fork end is a bit narrow. When you replaced the entire drag link bar, did get the parts from Mercedes?

 

[Neil]

Jon.

Both my Draglinks, with joints were Mercedes parts.

The first on failed through wear and tear, the seals perished. The second on got bent like a banana when they pulled the truck back upright.

Off the top of my head the splitter was about 40mm. Mine was cheap and only just did the job.

You can get them with a range of sizes.

I remember one joint would budge and I gave up on it and left the splitter in place. In the middle of the night we were woken with and almighty crack sound . It had released.

On a safety point leave the but on a few turns so that when it goes it remains contained. You wouldn't want it smashing you in the face

Neil

 

[Sitec]

I've always had success with getting these apart using a huge bar and then a well placed hit on the side of the drop arm with a decent hammer. When I say bar, I mean something 5-6' long wedged between the ball end and something firm. With the nut loostened so theres a gap between the nut and the nut mating face of approx 1/8", get a helper to put all their weight or lift on the end of the bar, and then strike the cast arm end where the ball joint taber goes through hard a few times. It'll let go.