Ball joint and spindle spreading much easier

[chakah]

Okay buds, I just discovered a better and much easier way to separate ball joints from spindles. I had done this earlier on one of my trucks before but never got to post it. I think you'll realize how much safer it also is. This method will also prevent banging the cr@p out of your A-arms, so put the fork spreader away. I don't even know if someone's tried this before but I hope it helps.

Okay, you gather tools you'll be needing. Two 3/4 in. wrenches, a 15/16 in. wrench, two 1/2" x 1 3/4" machine bolts with nuts and flat washers, a 1/2" x 2" piece of pipe. In this case I found a threaded nipple in my drawers. And of course our best friend WD-40.


Now this is what the spindle and ball joints look like bolted on. Now I removed the brakes and backplate for a better view of what's going on.


The gap between both ball joints measures about 4 1/4". Not sure what other year truck measures but this is what I got.


The machine bolt measures 1 3/4" long and 1/2" thickness. This measurement will depend on the gap between the ball joints. Sorry for the blurry pic.


The threaded nipple I found was 2" long. Here, any strong steel pipe or tube will work as long as the bolts fit snug. Any hardware store should carry these in the plumbing department. Remember, STRONG steel.