Well I just wanted to post because I'm relieved that part of the job is over.....

Long story short:

I started at 11:30 on wednesday night and quit around 3:30am thursday morning. I had no helms at the time, and was going on printouts of that thread from a few days ago where I asked for help... I ended up stumped on the lower ball joint on passenger's side.

I went to work on thursday (yesterday) dead *** tired and came back home after stopping to get an impact tool, borrow another floor jack, and helms manual. I also bought a ball joint splitter and pry bar.....

Well I started around 10pm last night and finished less than an hour ago! I've been up all night working on that thing. Yes I'm a slow learner. lol I actually even fell asleep under the car a couple of times. Talk about waking up disoriented!

But I had to do it because I was determined to get it dropped so I could get the final drive in today and start the new year off right with more pull..... And of course Ed (sackdz) inspired me with his dedication story earlier this week...

Some things I learned: Everybody says stay away from that weird fork/ ball joint splitter tool because you'll tear the ball joint... Well I didn't tear a single boot (yet)... *knocks on wood* I used that tool but didn't put it around the ball joint, just on the side. Then I bought a 1"x36" galvanized steel pipe from Home Depot and put it on the end of the ball joint splitter tool and stood on it... I also sprayed a little penetrating lubricant into the ball joint and it just popped right out! That bullshit hammer trick didn't work at all for me, btw. And I didn't feel comfortable hammering away at 3am for my neighbors..

Also, I removed both front wheels and both sets of axles... It seems like I could've skipped removing the drivers' side stuff and just been able to pull the tranny off the axle and intermediate shaft from the passenger's side... Oh well. I'm a newbie wrencher....

I only broke one thing: that stupid plastic radiator hose holder that is on top of the tranny... It got caught on the tranny upper/ motor mount that I had loosened but it slipped down when the tranny was dropping slowly and crack! Oh well. I'm so tired and glad to be done!

zzzzz.....

 

Any blood letting?

 

Congrats Ken

 

cool!
from the progress of last nite, i figured you'd get farther, but not finish last nite. most impressive!!

jeff- who can't stay up all nite anymore

 

Screw your neighbors...
Get a BIGGER hammer...

Glad to hear the tranny it out.

Will
-who has taught a ball joint (or 2) about loss....

 

You are an inspiration to all of us mechanics in learning...

 

Good job, Ken

Will- I think you should have a banner hanging on your house that says that...it would fit perfectly

jason- who has witnessed/been part of some loud events on willie's driveway

 

Wow, you got it finished last night? Damn!

 

I tore 2 boots with that fork balljoint remover. both on the same side, i removed the tie rod balljoint for some reason

For $10 at autozone, i got a pitman arm puller, which was perfect and not even a chance of ripping the boot.

 

But, if you must thread the path of the BFH, please refer to my sig

 

You don't HAVE to yank the drivers side apart.. it just makes it easier.

Personally, I don't pull the axles all the way out. I just pop the ball joint loose and undo the inner joint. Leave the outer joint connected and use a bungee to hold the axles in place. Makes it quicker.

Good job, ken.

 

Wow sounds like fun, can't wait to do mine .

 

Lol, your sig is funny Mike K!

"Toda Spec B "





[Modified by Black R, 11:59 AM 1/4/2002]

 

Hey Ken I called ya...well give me a call...I could have gave you hand w/ ur tranny..Eric