Getting lower balljoint out of arm?

[Gmc-76]

In a attempt to lower the front of my truck last night I took apart the whole front end. Well after I got the nut that hold the lower balljoint to the control arm, I can't get the balljoint to come out of the arm. I undid the shock and tie rod from the arm and spindle so it should just pop out now. I provided the best pics I could get to show what I'm talking about. The red arrow is that the spindle needs to move up, the white arrow is where the balljoint "bolt" needs to go down through the hole on the arm.

[Just call me Sean]

That's the spindle, not the arm. You need a ball joint separator. The fork type will damage the boot, which doesn't matter if you're putting in new ones.

[Tx Firefighter]

As badly as that stud on the ball joint is mashed, you're going to need new ball joints I'd imagine anyway. Use a 5 pound hammer and whack the spindle perpendicular to the ball joint and it will pop loose.

[Just call me Sean]

Oh yeah, forgot about the easy no special tool way.

I do hope you're supporting the lower control arm with a jack, so you don't kill yourself with the spring.

[Gmc-76]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

As badly as that stud on the ball joint is mashed, you're going to need new ball joints I'd imagine anyway. Use a 5 pound hammer and whack the spindle perpendicular to the ball joint and it will pop loose.

I have new balljoints to put on both sides. So how and where would I hit with my BFH? Also, yes I am holding it all with a floor jack and a stand so I don't get hit with flying parts.

[Just call me Sean]

On your top picture, hit at the bottom of your red arrow, next to where the stud goes through.

[Tx Firefighter]

Its important to note that it won't work if you're supporting the arm with a jack or stand. You need a jack set beneath the arm, but not touching. Maybe an inch of space between the two. For my method to work, the coil spring has to be exerting full pressure against the arm hanging freely.

And, like Sean said, draw an imaginary bullseye right at the point where the bottom of the red arrow is and whack the holy crap out of it with a very significant hammer. You might have to do it 10 times, but eventually, you'll see it lurch and notice the lower arm is now down against your jack.

[bdiamond]

You may have to clean up the mushroom you have at the end of that stud to get it thru the hole. Theres a round pad or raised area about the size of a quarter on most spindles. Whack the snot out of it there ....

[franken]

If something isn't compressing the spring when the ball joint separates from the spindle, the spring may try to kill you.

[uxdesigner]

I had the same problem... Go down to AutoZone (or any parts store) and barrow/rent a pitman puller for free. Takes longer to get to the store and back, easy solution.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...7&postcount=10

[Jake1971]

Has anyone tried this one? http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html