axle stands and ball joints

[JimSuperSix]

I'm trying to replace the passenger side steering trackrod as it's bent, but I have 2 problems -

1. where is it safe to place axle stands? The obvious place looks like the main chassis rail just to the rear of the front wishbone mountings.

2. how difficult is it to remove the ball joints? I've just bent my 3 leg puller trying to remove the outer one, and there's no way I can get the puller on the inner one, so do I need to buy one of those fork things that you hammer into the joint? How hard should I hit it, gentle taps or just as hard as I can?

cheers
James

[hellmett]

Re

I just did ALL my ball joints and put my axle stands just behind the bash plate (either side of where the plate bolts to the chassis).

I also undid the track rod ends to do this.

I also had both the wheels under the Surf so if the vehicle did fall the wheels would catch most of the weight.

BE CAREFUL, when I was fitting 2 new suspension coils, the damn truck nearly fell on me.

I virtually shat myself and the thought of what might of happened scares the pish outa me.

As far as removing the ball joints goes, I bought 2 tools.

One was a screw type ball joint splitter which did not fit the ball joints so was a waste of time and money!

The other was like a 2 pronged fork that gradually bevelled up!

The fork did it for me as my ball joints were 15 years old and welded in place.

I used the other tool for the track rod ends.

Be sure to cut the rubber boots off completely as they hinder the tools.

If you use the fork hit the $$$$er small taps first to guide into place (you will fell it get tighter in the joint) and gradually get harder and harder until the joint gives, I was taking full swings with a lump hammer!!!!

Be aware that you will need to secure the hub as hitting it with a hammer will probably rock it back & forth a bit and you don't wanna bend or break anything else, I used some old wood jammed behind the joints.

If you use the screw type ball joint splitter, get it secured into place and use a ratchet to tighten up the screw until the ball joint pops out.

When each one eventually became free, my god what a bang!

I wasn't expecting it and the first one shocked me so much it made me flinchy on all the rest!

Have fun, and BE CAREFUL under the Surf!

TAKE NO CHANCES and always CHECK & RECHECK the jack stands.

Later!

Gary