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Purs · 04-07-2005, 02:01 PM

get my upper ball joint to let go of the spindle? I've got the lower one loose but the upper will not let go. I've beat on the flat parts of the spindle until I'm blue in the face. Then I've tried a pickel fork and it didn't work. Any help is appreciated.

Putter · 04-07-2005, 04:38 PM

Keep hitting it with the fork. It will just let go in due time. If you can get it to wedge in there, give it a good smack with a 6-lb sledge. Works every time!!!

Chris H · 04-07-2005, 04:54 PM

Loosen the castle nut a few turns (leave enough thread engaged to retain the spindle).
Support the vehicle by the frame, and let the lower control arm hang down.
Whack on the spindle in the area where the ball joint passes through with your favorite hammer. 3lb usually works fine, shouldnt take more than a couple good hits.
The vibration from the hammer will loosen the ball joint, and the spring pressure will pop it loose.
Then raise the control arm with a floor jack, take off the castle nut continue disassembly. Lower the control arm slowly and watch out for that spring!

I usually bolt a piece of chain through the lower control arm and the spring, just in case. A compressed spring shooting out and hitting you in the face could really ruin a guy's day.

PMS · 04-07-2005, 04:55 PM

Try using (2) 6-lb. sledges. Hold one sledge on one side of the ball joint and use second one and beat on the opposite side of ball joint. Sometimes they can be a bear - you just have to be a bigger bear...

OhioDan · 04-07-2005, 04:58 PM

I've alway just loosened the nuts up until it's just even with the top of the ball joint threads. Put floor jack under a-arm. Smack with BFH on the side of the spindle, at the point where the ball joint goes thru the spindle. Spring tension will force them apart. Nuts still on will keep things from coming apart. Then, take nuts off, lower jack and let frame rest on jackstand. Hope this helps?

flip66 · 04-07-2005, 05:06 PM

I had the same problem I rented the pitman arm remover from auto zone and used it the thing came right off

Purs · 04-07-2005, 05:13 PM

thanks for the input guys, maybe I wasn't clear. I've already been successful getting the lower ball joint loose from the control arm using the methods mentioned above, the spring is removed and the lower control arm is hanging out of the way. The problem is my pickle fork isn't creating enough of a wedge to force the ball joint away from the spindle. So I've been beating on the flat parts of the spindle where the tapered end of the ball joint passes through with no success. Looks like I'm going to get a really BFH and stay at it. Thanks to everyone again and now I'm off to the garage....

72MARIO · 04-07-2005, 06:34 PM

I cut a 1/4" shim to fit under my pickle fork. Worked for me.

*Gee_Emm* · 04-07-2005, 06:44 PM

The 2 hammers at once is a good method.

Orange70chevy · 04-07-2005, 06:56 PM

Try a pickle fork on a air hammer

Rollie396 · 04-07-2005, 08:23 PM

yup I built a pickle fork out of a chunk of 5/8"(iirc) plate and fit it to an air hammer.Worked like a charm.

pebbleboy · 04-07-2005, 08:49 PM

I had to use two pickle forks to get some of them to break before.

Purs · 04-07-2005, 11:12 PM

got it! The spacer idea got me thinking, I grabbed a 13/16 wrench and put it around the ball joint like a spacer, then the pickle fork and BAM! it popped right off. thanks to everyone for the brainstormin'

04-07-2005, 02:01 PM	#1
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	How do I.... get my upper ball joint to let go of the spindle? I've got the lower one loose but the upper will not let go. I've beat on the flat parts of the spindle until I'm blue in the face. Then I've tried a pickel fork and it didn't work. Any help is appreciated. __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

04-07-2005, 04:38 PM	#2
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Keep hitting it with the fork. It will just let go in due time. If you can get it to wedge in there, give it a good smack with a 6-lb sledge. Works every time!!! __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

04-07-2005, 04:55 PM	#4
PMS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 79	Try using (2) 6-lb. sledges. Hold one sledge on one side of the ball joint and use second one and beat on the opposite side of ball joint. Sometimes they can be a bear - you just have to be a bigger bear... Last edited by PMS; 04-07-2005 at 04:55 PM.

04-07-2005, 04:58 PM	#5
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	I've alway just loosened the nuts up until it's just even with the top of the ball joint threads. Put floor jack under a-arm. Smack with BFH on the side of the spindle, at the point where the ball joint goes thru the spindle. Spring tension will force them apart. Nuts still on will keep things from coming apart. Then, take nuts off, lower jack and let frame rest on jackstand. Hope this helps? __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started. Last edited by OhioDan; 04-07-2005 at 05:01 PM.

04-07-2005, 05:06 PM	#6
flip66 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Garland TX Dallas area Posts: 658	I had the same problem I rented the pitman arm remover from auto zone and used it the thing came right off __________________ 1998 Pontiac Grad Prix GTP 1969 C10 396 TH400 3.08 posi Last edited by flip66; 04-07-2005 at 05:07 PM.

04-07-2005, 04:54 PM	#3
Chris H 72 C30 Trailer Queen Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: SE MN, USA Posts: 794	Loosen the castle nut a few turns (leave enough thread engaged to retain the spindle). Support the vehicle by the frame, and let the lower control arm hang down. Whack on the spindle in the area where the ball joint passes through with your favorite hammer. 3lb usually works fine, shouldnt take more than a couple good hits. The vibration from the hammer will loosen the ball joint, and the spring pressure will pop it loose. Then raise the control arm with a floor jack, take off the castle nut continue disassembly. Lower the control arm slowly and watch out for that spring! I usually bolt a piece of chain through the lower control arm and the spring, just in case. A compressed spring shooting out and hitting you in the face could really ruin a guy's day.

04-07-2005, 05:13 PM	#7
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	thanks for the input guys, maybe I wasn't clear. I've already been successful getting the lower ball joint loose from the control arm using the methods mentioned above, the spring is removed and the lower control arm is hanging out of the way. The problem is my pickle fork isn't creating enough of a wedge to force the ball joint away from the spindle. So I've been beating on the flat parts of the spindle where the tapered end of the ball joint passes through with no success. Looks like I'm going to get a really BFH and stay at it. Thanks to everyone again and now I'm off to the garage.... __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

04-07-2005, 06:34 PM	#8
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	I cut a 1/4" shim to fit under my pickle fork. Worked for me. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

04-07-2005, 06:44 PM	#9
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	The 2 hammers at once is a good method. Last edited by Gee_Emm; 04-07-2005 at 06:44 PM.

04-07-2005, 06:56 PM	#10
Orange70chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Penelope, Texas Posts: 393	Try a pickle fork on a air hammer

04-07-2005, 08:23 PM	#11
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	yup I built a pickle fork out of a chunk of 5/8"(iirc) plate and fit it to an air hammer.Worked like a charm. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

04-07-2005, 08:49 PM	#12
pebbleboy Son Of Gravel Man Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cleveland OH Posts: 638	I had to use two pickle forks to get some of them to break before.

04-07-2005, 11:12 PM	#13
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	got it! The spacer idea got me thinking, I grabbed a 13/16 wrench and put it around the ball joint like a spacer, then the pickle fork and BAM! it popped right off. thanks to everyone for the brainstormin' __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."



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