anybody got a balljoint trick???

[snacob14]

I have steadily beat on the lower ball joint on my 66 to no avale. I'm using a snapon pickle fork, 2lb sledge and having no luck. I'm soaking it overnight as we speak. Such a pain in the butt.

[turbostar]

The ball joint is tapered and goes into a tapered hole. I have always had success hammering on the side of the body the ball joint goes into. Because of the taper,this provides a force that should eventually pop the ball joint out.

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Yes, hit the side of the spindle where the ball joint goes thru it, this will flex the tapered hole and release the ball joint shaft, ooh and no swinging like a girl, find the biggest hammer in the shop and give it a beating!

[LowGT]

I had a similar problem on my 68, and there is a tool you can buy that goes between the 2 ball joint threaded shafts. Then you start twisting the center section and it expands the tool and forces the ball joint out from the topside. Make sense? They cost about $30.

I'm too cheap to buy these tools and made my own with two bolts connected by a threaded shaft. I got the pic below from google, but mine is essentially the same.

Or if time is not an issue, let it soak in penetrating oil overnight and whack on the side of the spindle again. I tried that for a week on my 68 and I could not get the last ball joint out. I made that tool and 30 seconds later, POW, out it came. Sounded like someone fired a 38 in the garage. That thing was stuck!

[rustbucket66]

Leafoot Lambert is right. The same is true for getting tie rod ends apart, 1 or 2 good hits with a big hammer and it will fall apart. One more thing on the ball joints, install the castle nut on a couple threads in case there is a bunch of spring pressure on the A arm, as it may come apart violently. Leaving the nut on a bit will stop the A arm and spindle from flying apart. Also, if you are going to use the u-joint again, the castle nut will save the threads if you miss with the hammer. Pickle forks destroy the rubber on the u-joint, so if you are using it again, it will leak grease and allow water and dirt to get into it.

[Brad54]

I've found that making certain the rubber boot is not getting lodged in between the pickle fork and what it's prying against is essential. I've seen guys wail away on them for a long time, and once you slide the fork under the rubber boot, it comes off in a could whacks.

-Brad

[ol_skool_chevy]

use a Bigger hammer

[DURG]

Remove the nut.................

Just kidding. Drive that fork in as hard as you can then hit the body of the spindle HARD where previous posters mentioned. IF that doesn't work you may need to heat the spindle up some with a torch. If you do heat it, I wouldnt hammer on the spindle when it's hot, only hit the fork.