Ball joint sent me to the ER

jg45 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:01 pm

Well not really the ball joint. But while I was installing a new Moog LBJ, I managed to give my thumb a good smack with a hammer. :oops:

It ripped the flesh across the top of my left thumb in a nice 1/4 inch C-shaped flap that could be peeled back. :shock:

My wife thought it might have broken or chipped the bone and also thought that the wound would need stitches. So off we go for a 5 hour adventure at the ER. Bone is fine and the doc decided not to stitch it. He just immobilized it and wrapped it tight with an antibiotic impregnanted gauze. Thanks to some help from my father in law and a friend I finshed the job today. Be careful out there.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:17 pm

What no Pictures???! :twisted:

What makes the Grass Grow :?:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:53 pm

Glad your ok, I thought the balljoint failed and you wrecked.

Yea! Show some pics!

Heres my thumb after I cut it with a knife working on my hella's.

Troysterr · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:17 pm

Yikes--and I was feeling bad because I tore the boot!

Installing those Moogs is not for the faint of heart, but I'm really glad I installed mine. I just hope I never have to replace them again :shock:

.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:05 pm

I'm running that print through the data base, any warrants? :lol:

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:07 pm

Say! I recognize that fingerprint. I think I solved the Lindbergh Baby kidnapping. :lol:

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:41 pm

Yep, that is some awesome ridge detail on that one!!!

jg45 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 26, 2006 1:53 am

Alright. Here is a picture. The swelling has gone down since last night and the giant black bruise around the gash is much better. It has been wrapped in gauze with an antibiotic since 2:30 this morning. That seems to have whitened things up. Last night that whole area was black or purple. You can see the flap of meat that can be lifted. There is also a smaller cut on the side near the knuckle. I am guessing that when my hammer slipped it drove my thumb into the wheel studs.
Lesson learned: Use the correct tool for the job, stupid!

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sun Mar 26, 2006 12:52 pm

In an english accent: "Its a bloddy flesh wound!"

Looks better than I expected... Yep when doing ball joints, use a press and avoid the mess

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:21 pm

(but if there is a mess have a camera ready)

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:03 pm

CaKJFreedom wrote:

(but if there is a mess have a camera ready)

I heard that

DoverKJ · **Posted:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:35 pm

USAFCOP wrote:

What makes the Grass Grow

The answer is "Blood, blood, blood"

I love that movie.
:lol:

SKIDOG · **Posted:** Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:43 pm

I've cut myself worse shaving!!!!! :twisted:

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Man, what do you shave with, a K-bar?

Liberator84 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:55 am

nah ... a chainsaw!

krazz1e · **Posted:** Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:58 am

wear gloves to absorb some of that impact. Glad your ok.... that stuff hurts, all part of wrenching tho, no pain no gain right?? :lol:

jg45 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:24 pm

Well it's one week later and my thumb is still black, blue and yellow. It still oozes some but does appear to be getting better. All I was trying to do was get the half shaft loose from the hub. Turns out Autozone sells and loans a tool to do that for $21. Lesson learned.

Ball joint sent me to the ER

Who is online