Tractor Repair: removing ball joint from steering cylinder, ball joint, wrenches

Question
having trouble removing ball joint from steering cylinder. Tractor is a MF40 industrial. Ball joint screws into ram of steering cylinder. Ram has flat spots to place wrench. My problem is I cannot get the ball joint to brake loose from the ram. Have ruined 2 wrenches, can it be heated or is their a simpler way.

Thanks

Answer
Hello,

  You could try laying the part that is stuck on an anvil and hitting it with a hammer, rotating it so that you hit all the way around it.  The shock might break it loose, or it might expand the metal slightly to loosen it.  But don't do it if it can't be done without damaging the ram.   As long as the ram is extended all the way, you could heat it also.  As soon as it starts to get red, poor cold water on it quickly.  This will loosen it better than heating alone, and it will keep the heat from damaging the seals in the cylinder.