Thanks Phantom - I guess I figured that as well (don't use the tool if you intend to reuse the joint), but they do also mention your not wanting to damage the socket...
And, yes, my wife was just about to get on the phone with Autozone and see if they had a manly sized pickle fork extractor... She was backing her car out of the way while I started bashing and she heard the
thunk!
So, let me answer my own original question.... with a question...
Is you sledge hammer big enough???
Apparently not! I've been using a 5 lb. sledge on the whole affair and was getting nowhere.
I just got out my 10 lb. sledge and started bashing the steering knuckle with extreme force and violence, and it dropped to the ground.
All's well that ends well...
Thanks for your assistance guys, and remember "do not use heat or pickle fork extractors" to get your ball joint out of your E350 van.
Instead, use a
BIGGER HAMMER!
Thanks again guys for your efforts. Hope someone else gets to this thread when they find themselves faced with this same thing.
Joe
