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#1
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Exploding ball joint!
I had something really weird happen to me tonight!
I was replacing a ball joint and spindle on a 124k Legacy sedan tonight, and with the VERY used replacement spindle in my shop vice, I heated the spindle to loosen the pinch bolt that clamps the ball joint into the spindle. I had removed the rubber boot and wiped clean the excess grease so that chance of fire would be low. I had positioned the spindle so that the ball joint was at a 45° angle to the concrete floor. Not as a precaution, but only to make the pinch bolt accessable. I heated the lower spindle to low red hot, and broke the pinch bolt loose. I turned it out about 3 or 4 turns and turned around to switch to a ratchet for faster removal. While my back was turned, I heard a VERY LOUD explosion! Much like a 45 fired just above your head!!!!!!! I looked around and saw no fires, so I ran upstairs to have Di look me over for damage from the explosion! Sometimes when there is an explosion, you don't know that you are burned, cut, stuck with metal objects, etc.! When She saw no damage I/We went back to the garage and found the ball joint had exploded and shot out of the spindle, across the garage and punched a hole in a plastic one galon oil jug that now holds braake fluid from my brake bleeding ventures. Two parts of the ball joint were inside the oil jug. The used brake fluid was still smoking, a metalic smell filled the air. So, watch your @ss when heating a ball joint! In 40 plus years of mechanics I have not seen this! It could have been worse.
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link Last edited by svxfiles; 02-10-2009 at 09:17 PM. |
#2
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
Pics! We want pics!
-Bill p.s. I'm really glad you weren't hurt!
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Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#3
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
Holy hell man, I guess you'll be thinking twice from now on when you light a torch.
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Chris 92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping 2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos 2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold 2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl |
#4
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
Quote:
It's a very small leak.
__________________
www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#5
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
I like Subi-crosser's version better!
Glad your alright
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1994 SVX L - FWD Barcelona Red 190K miles ~ SOLD 1994 SVX LS - 5spd AWD Emerald Green 202k miles PWR Radiator, HID 5000k, New paint job with issues, 17" STI BBS wheels, converted to 5spd AWD from FWD. Purchased from SVXyGirl 2/20/09 -- Undergoing complete rebuild 1993 Justy 4wd 5door- Teal of sorts , beater. 2008 OBXT Newport Pearl 65k miles |
#6
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
10 characters.
Last edited by essveeexxee; 10-19-2009 at 04:28 PM. |
#7
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
i'm curous why on earth would you need to heat a suspension componet to red hot ? i've done a few in my time and never had to resort to that extreme, the worst i've had is to jam a screwdriver in the gap to get the ball joint out
cam |
#8
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I am also confused, as mine practically fell out,'course I don't own a Lergacy.
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"That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." '92 Dark Teal SVX LS-L, >146,000m 3 pedals, 5 speeds., restoration underway. 2012 Honda Insight, slow but cute. |
#9
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
yes svx ones do fall out more easily than do legacy ones
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#10
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
I think I have a couple of old one's off my Legacy, I'll bring them along to toss in the next bonfire
Glad you weren't hurt, it sure would be embarrassing to have to tell people that you were hit in the leg with a hot ball
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Dave - 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0 |
#11
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
Quote:
-Bill
__________________
Retired NASA Rocket Scientist Most famous NASA "Child" - OSIRIS-REx delivered samples from asteroid BENNU to Earth in Sept. 2023 Center Network Member #989 '92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33 '92 "Test Mule", 4:44 Auto, JDM 4:44 Rear Diff with Mech LSD, Tuned headers, Full one-off suspension '92(?) Laguna, 6 spd and other stuff (still at OT's place) My Locker |
#12
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
Quote:
Hey! I resemble that remark... Wheres Ron? ...something...something...hot ball joint... waterbed... something...
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1991 SVX L JDM |
#13
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
Nice, real nice.
__________________
www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#14
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
Glad to hear your alright and not wounded... Hate to have you wounded and trying to mess with my car you know..
Seriously though, I'm glad it didn't end with a hospital visit or a "Vietnam style" wound dressing..
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1992 Pearl White LS-L "Ruslana" #4946 - 180k on body, 95k on engine. Mods: ECU bead crush, 15 min mod, 20 min mod, drilled/slotted rotors & Axxis ceramic brakes, SS lines, 17" Evoke F1 wheels, XS-HF137 Sony Xplod speakers, 6000k HID's (lows & fogs), resistor mod, 1½" Sleek Spoiler mod, custom exhaust by svxfiles, '02 WRX aluminum racing radiator by svxfiles, Summit Racing 400# x 300# springs w/ Koni's by svxfiles, ClassGlass fiberglass hood /w scoop, Nevin's rear sway bar, '97 grille, phenolic spacers, custom LED interior lighting, custom paint. †"War doesn't determine who is right, only who is left"† Work to be done: Tinted windows, clear/LED tail lights, tailbar mod, "Power Mode" mod, Supertone horns, clear corners & headlight lenses, 2 pc splitters or custom bumper, Alcyone side skirts, TruSpeed Stage III SVX Intake, Hydra, 4.44 tranny swap, JDM auto folding side mirrors, engine rebuild, super charger, STi seats, bone leather interior /w SVX emblem, dash overhaul, SVX decals, paint (stock color). Total cost?: 22k At least it's going down..
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#15
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Re: Exploding ball joint!
It's great that you're fine, OT!!!
Time to think about your safety features in your garage: Do you have a big enough fire extinguisher at your work place? Do you have a mask for your eyes when you're burning something? Do you have insurance covered? OT, do you get naked like you're building your garage when you're working on cars in the garage? If yes, you should get a good mechanic shirt! A good one might have some fireproof protection! If it's not enough, you could get bulletproof shirt for dangereous job.
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-SSSVX 92 LS-L TEAL since Aug '01 92 LS-L YELLOW since Mar '05 |
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