1971 Duster With Original 10" Front Drum Knuckles - Tips and Tricks for Removing the Knuckles?

[Duster256]

I'm about ready to remove the original knuckles so that I can install the newer 73+ knuckles from Dr. Diff's Stage 1 Front Disc conversion kit. I've pre-soaked all ball joint/tie rod/knuckle/UCA rebound bumper studs, nuts and bolts with PB Blaster. I know I'm gonna encounter 54-year old nuts/studs that still won't budge. I do NOT have a torch.

1. Already, the UCA rebound bumper nuts just spin in place - nut cracker?
2. Use 2 hammers to see if I can knock the sides of tapered ball joint/tie rod studs loose?
3. Is a lever-type ball joint remover strong enough to loosen frozen studs (with side-hammering on both sides of the studs)?
4. Other tips/tricks to removing the original knuckles?

FABO Nation - Let's hear your tips/tricks from your own experience removing original knuckles. Thanks! Dave

 

[bjkadron]

If you are planning on replacing the ball joints you can unscrew the nuts on the ball joints and screw them on upside down to almost level then hit them with a regular hammer. The shock works pretty well.

 

[junkyardhero]

are you keeping the upper control arms? reusing the upper ball joints?

the plan of attack is different depending on what you're keeping and/or reusing.

 

[cudamark]

If you're replacing the upper control arm along with the lower ball joint and knuckle assembly, disconnect the brake line and cap it, pop off the tie rod from the lower ball joint by loosening the nut to where you can turn it with your fingers, spraying penetrating oil around the stud, and then smack the side of the tie rod hole in the ball joint with a big hammer. It should pop loose.....remove the nut and swing the tie rod out of the way. Then, I'd just unbolt the upper control arm from the body. Once that is loose, the lower ball joint nut is easier to get to. Loosen that nut finger tight and do the same procedure you did with the tie rod end. Once it pops loose, hold the assembly up a bit (or use a jack) remove the nut, and the whole assembly can now be dropped out of the car. You can then separate the components if you like, or, just keep it together for whatever you want to do with it. You can also buy a removal tool for the tie rod and/or ball joint if you like, but, the hammer method works just fine if you're careful.

 

[like_A_pike]

FSM shows tool C-3711 which I understand one can procure at Mancini Racing still. The idea is jack the LCA up enough that the ball joint studs line up and screw this thing in between them to push both ways. Then tap the knuckles with a dead blow hammer. Mine was homemade
Cheers

 

[jos51700]

I just get the nuts off and back up the knuckle where the taper stud passes through with a 3# hammer, then smack the other side of the knuckle with a different different 3# hammer, and they pop apart; easy as can be.

 

[Duster256]

Thanks FABO Nation! Soaked the ball joint nuts/threads with PB Blaster fro a week, then "massaged" them using two big *** hammers, one on each side of the ball joint, to pop them loose.