Stubborn ball joint
 

Redoing front-end and am in the final stretch. My problem is the passenger side lower ball joint just will not break free. Went to harbor freight this morning and got a bigger sledge. Just thought I would ask is there anything else I could try? Thanks guys.

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

.
Go borrow the tool from Autozone and press it out. You'll need that same tool to press the new one back in!

Hth,

-klb

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

Yes, this. And the ball joint press is easy to use.

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

If you have the suspension arm hanging free, it is most likely moving back and forward with the hammer blows...

Put a floor jack under the ball joint and take a little weight up on the jack....

I use a pickle fork and 5 LB hammer...so long as I am not reusing the ball joint...

Hope this helps..

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

Thanks. I should have made it clear I am replacing control arm and all.. Problem is brealing old one free from the spindle... It just doesn't seem to move

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

.
Use the hammer against the knuckle swinging perpendicular to the ball joint shaft. Give it a good hit and the thing should just slide right loose. Careful of the spring though.

Either that or use a pickle fork to separate the two pieces.

Hth,

-klb

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

The knuckle on the spindle?

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

Yep...thats what I assumed you were attempting....

Be safe though....make sure the lower A arm is on a floor jack....to take the weight of the spring load etc...

I assume you have the shock absorber off of it already....

Sometimes its necessary to have a solid hammer against the back on the balljoint hole on the spindle then hit the other side of the spindle....to shock it out....

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

.
Sorry, the thick metal boss that the ball joint shaft is stuck in. Hit that perpendicular to the ball joint shaft. Hit it hard.

-klb

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

Thanks I will try that. Never had this happen before☺

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

I just re-did all the front end components on my truck.

It took a big hammer and lots blows to get the ball joint free from the spindles....but eventually they broke free.

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

You may have to use 2 pickle forks as well.

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

2 forks? What stack them?

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

Never mind realized what you mean lol

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

Yes, you'll have to stack them. I've had to do that before when things were being a pain.

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

If you like buying tools like I do.

Video with air hammer and pickle fork.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxhfSBGs2ls

Tool kit for air hammer or you can just use a hammer.
https://www.amazon.com/HFS-Piece-Joi...productDetails

.

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

If things are particularly stubborn apply some soft heat with a Propane or Mapp gas torch to the spindle. Cleaning all grease and removing the brake hose for fire safety are required! Having the Pickle Fork in position and preloaded will help. The idea being to heat the spindle and get the ball joint loose before the heat from the spindle is conducted to the ball joint. A hundred degrees difference between the two pieces will give you a thousands or two of clearance.

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

Just did this last year. I had a stubborn one too. I got the pickle fork under it good and tight, then whacked the knuckle with a two pound hammer just above the fork. Popped right loose. Like others have said, be safe. Leave the nut loose on the joint to keep everything together until you're sure you're ready to deal with the spring.

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

Let the arm hang without the floor jack touching it, but still underneath it about an inch or 2. Frame on the jack stand. Loosen the nut about 3-4 turns and leave it on. Hit the side of the spindle. The vibration and the pressure of the spring will jack it free. After it separates, then use the floor jack to raise it up enough to spin the nut the rest of the way. Lower floor jack slowly until the spring pressure is off and the ball joint is free.

Re: Stubborn ball joint
 

Thanks for all the advice guys. Did what you said klb about hitting it perpendicular. Then used the fork and my new 8 lbs sledge... Came free after the 2nd hit. Now to get it aligned and put some miles on it. Again thanks to all for the advice.