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  #1  
Old 02-10-2009, 09:06 PM
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svxfiles svxfiles is offline
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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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Last edited by svxfiles; 02-10-2009 at 09:17 PM.
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  #2  
Old 02-10-2009, 09:10 PM
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SVXRide SVXRide is offline
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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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  #3  
Old 02-10-2009, 09:26 PM
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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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  #4  
Old 02-10-2009, 09:56 PM
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svxfiles svxfiles is offline
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Re: Exploding ball joint!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot View Post
Holy hell man, I guess you'll be thinking twice from now on when you light a torch.
last week Jerry and I were under one of his Outbacks welding, when he reminded me of the gas tank filler pipe leak.















It's a very small leak.
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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
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  #5  
Old 02-10-2009, 10:40 PM
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Wikedjuggalo Wikedjuggalo is offline
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Re: Exploding ball joint!

I like Subi-crosser's version better!











Glad your alright
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  #6  
Old 02-10-2009, 10:52 PM
essveeexxee essveeexxee is offline
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Re: Exploding ball joint!

10 characters.

Last edited by essveeexxee; 10-19-2009 at 04:28 PM.
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  #7  
Old 02-11-2009, 12:29 AM
legacyau legacyau is offline
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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
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  #8  
Old 02-11-2009, 12:54 AM
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I am also confused, as mine practically fell out,'course I don't own a Lergacy.
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  #9  
Old 02-11-2009, 01:39 AM
legacyau legacyau is offline
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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  
Old 02-11-2009, 04:49 AM
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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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  #11  
Old 02-11-2009, 09:00 AM
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Re: Exploding ball joint!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hocrest View Post
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
not to mention that he almost had a hot ball on/in his chest
-Bill
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'92 Fully caged, 5 speed, waiting for its fully built EG33
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  #12  
Old 02-11-2009, 09:56 AM
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Re: Exploding ball joint!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hocrest View Post
...it sure would be embarrassing to have to tell people that you were hit in the leg with a hot ball



Hey!




I resemble that remark...



Wheres Ron? ...something...something...hot ball joint... waterbed... something...
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  #13  
Old 02-11-2009, 04:20 PM
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svxfiles svxfiles is offline
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Re: Exploding ball joint!

Nice, real nice.
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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
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  #14  
Old 02-11-2009, 05:41 PM
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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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  #15  
Old 02-13-2009, 11:52 PM
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SSSVX SSSVX is offline
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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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