HELP!! ball joint issue

[donthekawguy]

I cant get the lower ball joint separated from the spindle. I made the mistake of taking out the lower control arm first. I have used 3 different ball joint tools with no luck. One other thing-the spring seems to be stuck in the upper pocket of the crossmember. It should just fall out right?

[neal 66]

so you took the u bolts of the cross shaft first and the lower control arm is now just hanging from the ball joint? if so can you jack the control arm back up compressing the spring and put the u bolts back in and re install nuts?

[donthekawguy]

I have the control arm al the way out. It seperated from the top easy and I found a broken control ar shaft u bolt so I got excited and pulled the lower out with the spindle still attached. Now I can't get the lower to seperate from the spindle. I have a full set of pickle forks and none of them will knock it loose. Should I remove the two bolts holding the thinga ma jig on the bottom of the spindle? BTW I got the spring out, it was just stuck in there.

[Norcal72]

I used a press tool that was shaped like a c-clamp. No dice on pickle fork tools for me. Autozone let me borrow it for free.

[PGSigns]

Take a 2 pound hammer and give the spindle a good whack right on the side to shock the taper.
Jimmy

[donthekawguy]

I beat on it with a 4 pounder and it won't budge. I'll give it another try and if it won't come out I'll probably take it to Les shwab.

[PGSigns]

There was a thread a while back on making a jack out of a couple of 3/4 bolts and a piece of pipe. That would work for your problem. One thing more you can try is driving the pickle fork in to put some pressure on the taper before you hit the spindle. I always break the ball joints loose first so the spring helps pull them apart.
Jimmy

[jjzepplin]

I put a big sledge hammer on one side of the spindle and then hit the other side with a smaller sledge. Kinda whacks it from both sides at once. Works every time.

[donthekawguy]

I took off the part that bolts on to the spindle and the tie rod fits into. Gave it a couple smacks and it popped right off. Now to the pass side. The bolt that holds the bracket is spinning and the drum wont come off. Grrrrrr! It's fighting me but I have a big hammer so I will win!