![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 4,887
|
Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
I am trying to remove my coil springs because my truck has a 2" lean and the passenger side lower control arm won't budge. I've done this before with ease many times, but this one is being a PITA!
I've got the truck on jackstands, backed the castle nut off the ball joint, placed jack under LCA and lowered but it's stuck. Used pickle fork, big hammer, cuss words, nothing will budge it. I also tried jacking the UCA to let the spring pressure push the ball joint out but no joy. Anybody have this happen, Any suggestions?
__________________
'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
I've had to put a small bottle jack in there once in a road side repair (spindle replacement).
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Red Lodge Montana
Posts: 240
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
Ive had to beat the SH&T out of mine. Bigger hammer. may use slight heat as well.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
I beat on one side of mine for about 3 hours over a 4 day period before it finally came loose.Got the lower loose then had another 1 to 1 1/2 hours in the upper.The other side I hit twice and both popped loose.Use the biggest hammer you can hit accurately with.
__________________
The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 4,887
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
I think I'm gonna try the bottle jack trick tomorrow...
__________________
'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Phone's ringin Dude.
![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 1,426
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
Make that puppy cry uncle with a little heat! PB Blaster never hurts, either. Not at the same time, though!
![]()
__________________
![]() ![]() 2003 SILVERADO SS--THE NEW GIRL 1972 GMC--THE OLD GIRL |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DFW (Forney)
Posts: 1,529
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
If you have access to an air hammer you might try that ,with a ball joint seperator end on it
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,006
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
I used a C-Clamp press from harbor freight tools to get mine out. Beating on it more or using a picklefork will not work, it needs to be pressed out. The bottlejack trick will work as well.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Joppa, Maryland
Posts: 4,408
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
All above ideas......& use "Bigger Cuss Words".......
__________________
1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
ledzep... he's trying to seperate the ball joint from the spindle.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
just can't cover up my redneck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 11,414
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
While it is hard to get swinging space in there.....I find the best way for a really stubborn one is the "double hammer". You 2 "fairly big" hammers, nothing crazy, you still have to swing one of them.
What you do is have someone else hold one of the hammers (preferably the bigger one) against the side of the spindle next to the hole where the tapered shaft comes through. Then you swing the other hammer and hit the opposite side, "smashing" into the sides of the "hole". This is not the right spindle, but the idea is the same. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Sierra Grande Club
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Mexico USA
Posts: 2,433
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
Quote:
s/t
__________________
1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe. ![]() Last edited by Sport/Truck; 04-21-2008 at 05:23 PM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
just can't cover up my redneck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 11,414
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
Oh yeah, I am very against the stupid fork thing. They destroy the boots, how could they not?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: China Grove, NC
Posts: 122
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
This is what I did on mine. I took apart a heavy duty brake drum puller, put a nut between the screw of the puller and the ball joint stud, and turned it using an impact gun. Heat, penetrating oil, whacking with a small sledge, and turning the puller with the impact gun eventually broke it loose. Resistance is futile!
__________________
"A man's got to know his limitations." - Dirty Harry _______________________________________________ 1967 C20 Custom Camper, 327, Powerglide, PS, PB, No-Spin Locker |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Warrington, PA
Posts: 403
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
I had a similar problem when I was removing my outer tie rods. The thing was just frozen in there. I tried everything...PB blaster, BFH, Pickle fork and heat. I eventually had to cut it off and drill out what was left behind. I just took my time and kept increasing in drill bit size until i cleaned the hole out. Be carefull because the ball joint hole is tapered just like the tie rod.
__________________
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 538
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
Finally took the lower A arm off the truck (with spindle still on) and took it to a shop. I didn't ask how they did it, wasn't sure I wanted to know...
Last edited by Mondo; 04-22-2008 at 08:27 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,006
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
If removing the ball joint from the spindle, Longhairs method is the way to go. I was talking about removing the ball joint from the LCA.
Last edited by leddzepp; 04-22-2008 at 09:27 AM. Reason: spelling error |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
The perfect tool for this job ... less than $10 and it's from Harbor Freight too
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 4,887
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
Quote:
__________________
'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Too many projects
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fargo, ND land of the flat hills
Posts: 1,147
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
I use a big 'ol bolt, nut and socket to fashion a makeshift ball joint press. Hold the bolt head with one wrench, and turn the nut with the other and you have yourself a removed BJ. It smashed my knuckles when she broke free, but the boot stayed intact and all that jazz.
Some paint for ya'll (flip for upper ball joint):
__________________
Andrew 84 GMC C1500 SWB 6.2 Diesel/700R4/3.42 "Grandpa's odd duck" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
Shane, that looks just like my favorite Ball joint tool!!!Came from the same place too.
__________________
The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,006
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
The easiest way to remove/install coil springs is to use a spring compressor. Then you do not need to mess with the spindles and ball joints.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
So how are you gonna get the compressed spring out of the pocket if you "don't mess with the spindles or ball joints" ???
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 331
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
Quote:
That way you don't even need to mess with the ball joints. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Claremore, OK
Posts: 486
|
Re: Lower ball joint stuck suggestions please..
Quote:
Quote:
![]() ![]()
__________________
93 Sonoma 2.8/5spd 75 Malibu Classic 350/350 If it don't have round headlights and a carb, I don't trust it! |
||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|