Steering knuckle removal - a few questions
 

While replacing my springs I had to remove the ABS wheel speed sensor. The bolt holding on the sensor was completely seized, I should have let it soak a little longer with PB blaster. The head twisted off leaving the bolt threads in the steering knuckle. After drilling a hole and using an "easy-out" extractor, which twisted and broke off in the hole I think my only option is to remove the steering knuckle and take it to a machine shop to drill out the remaining bolt and installing a heli-coil. The piece of the bold extractor that is now in the middle of the bolt is too hard for my drill bits.

I need to remove my steering knuckle and I have a few questions. Do I need a ball joint separator to remove the steering tie-rod and bottom ball joint on the knuckle? I did some searching and found people using a ball-peen hammer and others suggesting a ball joint separator. Does anybody know of a write-up or tips for removing the knuckle.

Also at reassembly do I need a special press to squeeze it back together.

Alot of techs who doesnt have the right tool would use a pry back wedged in between the ball joints and use a ball peen hammer and whack it.

-AzEKnightz

p.s. ball joint separator is the proper way to go. Wont hurt yourself or damage anything.

Thanks, will be getting a ball joint separator. Has anybody out there removed the steering knuckle before? Any tips would be really appreciated. I'm sure it's not too bad but it's a bit of a daunting task since I have never done it before and do not have experience with suspension/steering.

Make sure you have the nut on the threaded part of the ball joints. That ensure that even if the ball joint separator slips, it would not damage your ball joint threads. Other than that, dont hurt yourself with a hammer ^^

-AzEKnightz