Little Help - *#@% Ball Joint Wedge Pin

[KNS]

I'm changing out my Ball Joints. The wedge pins will not budge and I don't have any heat to apply. I have pounded on them and pounded some more. Wayne suggests drilling them out (in the 101 book). I started drilling them but how deep do I want to go? How close to the outer diameter of the pin?

The PO had new struts installed about a year before I bought the car - about a year ago so they have been out in the not too distant past. I do think they are rusted together.

Thanks for any help or suggestions...

[YTNUKLR]

Try some PB Blaster or Zep Reserve--penetrating lubricant usually works pretty well. Let it sit overnight and then try your hand at pounding again

[john70t]

When the new pins arrive, use a piece of tape on the bit.

[KNS]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by john70t

When the new pins arrive, use a piece of tape on the bit.

I have the new pins... I think I know what you mean, not to go past the tapered part? Obviously you don't want to drill all the way to the threaded portion.
They've been soaking in PB Blaster and I'll let them soak some more.
Has anyone else drilled these out?

[KNS]

Bump

[MattAlpha]

KNS,
Can you post a pic/s of how far you've drilled already.
That would help someone who has done it before to tell you how much further you need to drill.
-Matt

[der Mond]

I would also recommend threading the nut on to the end of the pin to protect the threads and give you a larger whacking surface. I did that a week ago, heated it up a bit with a propane torch and used a 1/2" drive extension with a ball peen hammer and still had to whack quite a few times before it came out. I thought mine was frozen solid but it finally came out on both sides. Another 911 rite of passage.

[Wayne 962]

Yup, had to drill mine out - I tried just about everything else...

-Wayne

[KNS]

Thanks for the replies. I to have to take a break from it for a day or two but I'll try to get a pic. I re-read my first post, it was about five years ago that these were removed, not one. I have a feeling that the shop did not grease the pin, Five years is not that long.

Wayne, do you remember how far in you drilled?

[KNS]

Okay, I tried to get some more drilling on these pins before I have to quit for the day. I'm using a 3/8ths bit, just a little smaller than the larger end of the pin. I've got it about a 1/3rd of the way through the pin itself. I can't imagine dilling to the other end(??) through-and-through?

I'm sure I've reached the part where the taper starts to wedge itself the BJ stud. Just past the stud portion and no more or what?
I'd post a Pic but I've no camera handy.

Thanks anyone...