The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Advice removing ball from steering arm

I am attempting to remove the ball from the steering arm on my '56 3100 so that I can upgrade the tie rod and ends. I have read the tech tips and read through the old postings on this topic. To no avail, I can't remove it.

The steering arm has been removed from the truck. I have ground off the peening from the back side. I have a 3/8" hole drilled almost the complete distant of the ball stud. Still no movement. Now I have starting grinding the hole bigger with a dremel tool but don't want to go to far and ruin the steering arm. What is the thickness of the sterring arm???

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hy Kent Butler, put the steering arm on something solid, an anvil would be a good choice and drive the old ball stud out with a punch and hammer, probably a two man job, one to hold the steering arm, and one to do the pounding, support as much of the arm as you can. The alternative would be to use a press to remove the ball stud. You can use a "little heat" to help you with this task, but not so much that you can see the arm change colour, good luck, hope that helps.

On the back end of the hole, there is a shallow step that is drilled slightly larger than the main hole diameter. If you cut that out, it will come out easily. It is probably 1/16" or less deep.

Heat in a vise and use a punch and big hammer,it will come out.

Tim

Thanks for the feedback. I put it in the vise and got the wife to stand on it. She is a lightweight so it took a couple of tries. Finally got it out.

Now the next problem, I ground into the wall with the dremel tool. Did I just ruin the steering arm?? I can always post a pick if need too. I was using the pictures that Denny Graham posted http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/121615912/large

The diameter of mine was not even close (much narrower), Hope I didn't ruin the steering arm otherwise I will be on the hunt for one. Is there any difference between right and left steering arms??

Thanks again,