ok so i am doin the ball joints on my sp 500 and cant figure out how to get them out.. the bad part is.. we had to cut the nuts off.. so one side has no threads.. and they are not just falling out... has anyone ever done these.. and input on what too do.. thanks guys

 

I heated the strut housing with a propane torch and grabbed the stud with vise grips and tapped them out by hitting the pliers

 

I just changed out the ball joints on my 02 700 sportsman. After I removed the 2 bolts and retaining plate, I heated the struts around the old ball joint for about 3-5 mintues with a propane torch. The old ball joints slid out with very little effort.

Reattach the a-arm onto the old ball joint that still has threads and whack the a-arm with a rubber mallet.

I liked the vise grip idea for the other ball joint without threads. If that doesn't work, you may want to have someone weld a bar on the old shaft to get you something to whack on with a rubber mallet.

 

Can you still get a nut on at all? If so, try that with a slide hammer or vise grips as stated on a previous post. Also, if you have a grease fitting on the lower strut take it out so there is no vacuum created that will hold it in. When putting the new ones in I found it helps to toss them in the freezer for a while and they slide in much easier.

 

would a regular propane torch work.. or do i have to find a big setteline torch?

 

I used a cheap propane torch for about 3-5 minutes. It worked fine.

 

Ditto on the propane torch and vise grips, to install new ones get a deep socket that fits over the threads and fits the base well, while you have the strut hot from removing the old one, tap the new one in with socket and hammer, wll go in easy while the strut is hot.

 

thanks for all the help guys

 

Harley: That's what a pickle fork is for. You should go down to your local NAPA or quality automotive shop and check what the smallest and/or best size is.

Here's a view of one and how it's used.

How to Use a Pickle Fork to Remove the Upper & Lower Ball Joints | Expert Village Videos

 

well that woulda worked if i wouldnt have cut the nuts off first.. maybe next time i'll be that smart...im gonna pick up a torch tomarrow and try that out.. hopfully i can get a visegrips to hold on the shaft of the ball joint... wish me luck