Ball Joint Nut Removal Options

[dralf]

Help,
I am still taking my front end apart and have stumbled onto ball joint nuts that refuse to budge.
I have soaked them in penetrating oil and have been attacking them with the socket type tool sold by Pelican Parts and a 5 foot cheater bar. No luck !
I am actually starting to deform the prongs or teeth that interlock between the tool and the nut.

I am reluctant to use a torch for there is so much grease and oil in that area that I will have a 3 alarm blaze...my only thought is to some how cut or split the nut since I will be replacing the ball joints anyway (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif)

I started that mode of attack last night both with a drill and a hand hacksaw but I was not making nuch progess, the nut must be harder than my tools.

Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated.

[joea9146]

I used a Dremel with the cutoff wheel cut 2 or 3 slots into the nut then
chisle and hammer off the nut. Just be careful not to cut into the A arm when cutting
near the top of the nut. Get the fiber enforced cutoff wheels for the dremel they
are more expensive but last longer and will cut right through the nut (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)