Stuck spindle - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mgkgmc · 06-22-2011, 10:41 PM

Hey can anyone provide some tips to removing a spindle? I cant get the lower ball joint off the spindle.
Posted via Mobile Device

late68 · 06-22-2011, 10:48 PM

Make sure the jack stand is under the crossmember and not the control arm and beat the living shi* out of the top. It should pop right out. Easier also is the upper control arm is off where you can turn the rotor to the side for better access.

BMERDOC · 06-22-2011, 10:53 PM

Pickle forks rarely work and usually mess up the boot if you wanna reuse it. You really have to get a BFH and hit the lower spindle at the joint like you mean it. If you have to hit it too much it marrs the spindle so you gotta hit it with all you got. Make sure you have a jack about an inch under the control arm so you dont get a cool coil spring tattoo in the middle of your chest. If you have to, heat the spindle at the joint with a hand held propane torch to swell it some. Don't worry about metal fatigue, its not hot enough for that. If you plan to keep the lower joint keep the heat away from the boot and leave the nut on the joint loosely so in case you miss you dont ruin the threads. A soaking with your favorite penetrent wouldnt hurt either.

**Boog** · 06-22-2011, 10:57 PM

Most times you can put your frame on a jack stand. Remove shock and allow the lower control arm to fully drop. Place a floor jack just under the lower control arm but not touching it. Loosen the ball joint nut but leave it on by a few threads. Take a hammer and give some good smacks to the side of the part of the spindle that sits down over the ball joint stud. It may take several hits before it pops loose. The spindle nut still threaded on the stud will catch and prevent the control arm from slamming down. Once loose raise the jack up under the control arm, remove the nut and slowly lower the arm.
Also there are tools used to hammer in between the spindle and ball joint to pry them apart. Looks something like a pickle fork. Not expensive and some parts stores may have a loaner tool program.
This should get you there.

mgkgmc · 06-23-2011, 02:02 AM

Thanks for the response everyone I finally got the spindle off with your help. I cant wait to get it finished.
Posted via Mobile Device

Rooster's 67 · 06-23-2011, 02:09 AM

Boog has the right method, With the BFH method, you must remove the shock. there must not be anything supporting the arm outboard of the piviot shaft. LEAVE THE NUT ON THE BALL JOINT,LOOSEN IT SO THERE IS NO MORE THAN A 1/4 INCH GAP BETWEEN NUT AND SPINDLE. If you back the nut almost all the way off, I have seen the sudden release with spring pressure strip the threads right off. This will cause a violent release of nut, and possibly spring.
Jack stands under frame, use very sturdy jack under end of control arm with about an inch clearance, no closer to the pivot shaft than the spring pocket.

Be careful!

Lastly SWING, and SWING F'n HARD!!!

Rooster's 67 · 06-23-2011, 02:10 AM

Haha I was seven minutes late, but im sure someone else will need the info

Dano69c10 · 06-23-2011, 11:04 PM

I'll be using the info tonight when I change out my lower control arms. Good thread.
Dano

06-22-2011, 10:41 PM	#1
mgkgmc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 1,354	Stuck spindle Hey can anyone provide some tips to removing a spindle? I cant get the lower ball joint off the spindle. Posted via Mobile Device

06-22-2011, 10:48 PM	#2
late68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Spring, Tx Posts: 365	Re: Stuck spindle Make sure the jack stand is under the crossmember and not the control arm and beat the living shi* out of the top. It should pop right out. Easier also is the upper control arm is off where you can turn the rotor to the side for better access. __________________ 1968 C10 SWB Dropped 5 in tha back 3 in tha front My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=470902

06-22-2011, 10:53 PM	#3
BMERDOC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Richmond,Va Posts: 2,934	Re: Stuck spindle Pickle forks rarely work and usually mess up the boot if you wanna reuse it. You really have to get a BFH and hit the lower spindle at the joint like you mean it. If you have to hit it too much it marrs the spindle so you gotta hit it with all you got. Make sure you have a jack about an inch under the control arm so you dont get a cool coil spring tattoo in the middle of your chest. If you have to, heat the spindle at the joint with a hand held propane torch to swell it some. Don't worry about metal fatigue, its not hot enough for that. If you plan to keep the lower joint keep the heat away from the boot and leave the nut on the joint loosely so in case you miss you dont ruin the threads. A soaking with your favorite penetrent wouldnt hurt either.

06-22-2011, 10:57 PM	#4
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,103	Re: Stuck spindle Most times you can put your frame on a jack stand. Remove shock and allow the lower control arm to fully drop. Place a floor jack just under the lower control arm but not touching it. Loosen the ball joint nut but leave it on by a few threads. Take a hammer and give some good smacks to the side of the part of the spindle that sits down over the ball joint stud. It may take several hits before it pops loose. The spindle nut still threaded on the stud will catch and prevent the control arm from slamming down. Once loose raise the jack up under the control arm, remove the nut and slowly lower the arm. Also there are tools used to hammer in between the spindle and ball joint to pry them apart. Looks something like a pickle fork. Not expensive and some parts stores may have a loaner tool program. This should get you there. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

06-23-2011, 02:02 AM	#5
mgkgmc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glendale Arizona Posts: 1,354	Re: Stuck spindle Thanks for the response everyone I finally got the spindle off with your help. I cant wait to get it finished. Posted via Mobile Device

06-23-2011, 02:09 AM	#6
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	Re: Stuck spindle Boog has the right method, With the BFH method, you must remove the shock. there must not be anything supporting the arm outboard of the piviot shaft. LEAVE THE NUT ON THE BALL JOINT,LOOSEN IT SO THERE IS NO MORE THAN A 1/4 INCH GAP BETWEEN NUT AND SPINDLE. If you back the nut almost all the way off, I have seen the sudden release with spring pressure strip the threads right off. This will cause a violent release of nut, and possibly spring. Jack stands under frame, use very sturdy jack under end of control arm with about an inch clearance, no closer to the pivot shaft than the spring pocket. Be careful! Lastly SWING, and SWING F'n HARD!!! __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

06-23-2011, 02:10 AM	#7
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	Re: Stuck spindle Haha I was seven minutes late, but im sure someone else will need the info __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

06-23-2011, 11:04 PM	#8
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	Re: Stuck spindle I'll be using the info tonight when I change out my lower control arms. Good thread. Dano __________________ '69 Fleet It ain't yours, if you didn't build it!



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