2wd getting lower ball joint loose from spindle? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

benoit454 · 11-10-2010, 06:03 PM

How in the freakin crap did you guys get it loose, or is mine just being more of a PITA then any other? We are trying to get the one loose on dad's 84, that way we can change the lower ball joint. We took them both loose, pickle forked the top one, and tried the bottom but the pickle fork does nothing it just bottoms out againist the ball joint. We have 2 of them one narrow and one wide btween the forks, the wide one we use and try to get it to work on the lower one, worked great up top and on my 88 4wd it worked. The narow is more for tie rods and works great for them. We rented the lower balljoint press/c-clamp thing to remove it from the LCA, but can't get it out of the spindle. We've sprayed it over and over with penetrating oil, we've hammered the top of it with a nut on a few threads, we've hit the spindle around it, pickle fork, I even tried what the hayes book said,a bolt, washer, nut and socket to press it out. I end up bending the bolt, stripping the nut or something before it moves. So I'm stuck. I can't get a c-clamp or 2/3 jaw puller on it due to the spindle over top of it. So I'm just really lost, the spring is chained down and jack left under the lower control arm, that's how it's stuck for now I guess.

ANy ideas? special tool or trick?

C low · 11-10-2010, 06:12 PM

5 lb sledge smack the spindle right by the balljoint, or air chisle with the pickle fork atatchment and an extra pfork with another helper hiting the spindal wile forking it double with the chisle and pfork

kelsfine69 · 11-10-2010, 06:20 PM

Yup leave the nut on a few threads for safety and hit the spindle right by the ball joint. Usually a good couple wacks and it will pop. The spring will help seperat it. Leave the nut on a couple threads!!

mooseknuckles · 11-10-2010, 06:51 PM

yep def. airchisel pickel fork attachment

benoit454 · 11-10-2010, 07:20 PM

well the air chisel is messed up I think but I do have the ones by hand, wasn't getting anywhere with it. chiltons says to use the c clamp ball joint press on it, so might try it, just don't have alot of room between the LCA and ground, might have to lift the whole truck up more. The top one popped right off just like you guys said, when we done it today I left the nut on a few turns and pickle forked it, popped right loose. When we get to the PS gonna do the lower first.

11-10-2010, 06:03 PM	#1
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	2wd getting lower ball joint loose from spindle? How in the freakin crap did you guys get it loose, or is mine just being more of a PITA then any other? We are trying to get the one loose on dad's 84, that way we can change the lower ball joint. We took them both loose, pickle forked the top one, and tried the bottom but the pickle fork does nothing it just bottoms out againist the ball joint. We have 2 of them one narrow and one wide btween the forks, the wide one we use and try to get it to work on the lower one, worked great up top and on my 88 4wd it worked. The narow is more for tie rods and works great for them. We rented the lower balljoint press/c-clamp thing to remove it from the LCA, but can't get it out of the spindle. We've sprayed it over and over with penetrating oil, we've hammered the top of it with a nut on a few threads, we've hit the spindle around it, pickle fork, I even tried what the hayes book said,a bolt, washer, nut and socket to press it out. I end up bending the bolt, stripping the nut or something before it moves. So I'm stuck. I can't get a c-clamp or 2/3 jaw puller on it due to the spindle over top of it. So I'm just really lost, the spring is chained down and jack left under the lower control arm, that's how it's stuck for now I guess. ANy ideas? special tool or trick? __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454

11-10-2010, 06:12 PM	#2
C low Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Albany Oregon Posts: 71	Re: 2wd getting lower ball joint loose from spindle? 5 lb sledge smack the spindle right by the balljoint, or air chisle with the pickle fork atatchment and an extra pfork with another helper hiting the spindal wile forking it double with the chisle and pfork

11-10-2010, 06:20 PM	#3
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: 2wd getting lower ball joint loose from spindle? Yup leave the nut on a few threads for safety and hit the spindle right by the ball joint. Usually a good couple wacks and it will pop. The spring will help seperat it. Leave the nut on a couple threads!! __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

11-10-2010, 06:51 PM	#4
mooseknuckles Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: ottawa,canada Posts: 4,550	Re: 2wd getting lower ball joint loose from spindle? yep def. airchisel pickel fork attachment

11-10-2010, 07:20 PM	#5
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	Re: 2wd getting lower ball joint loose from spindle? well the air chisel is messed up I think but I do have the ones by hand, wasn't getting anywhere with it. chiltons says to use the c clamp ball joint press on it, so might try it, just don't have alot of room between the LCA and ground, might have to lift the whole truck up more. The top one popped right off just like you guys said, when we done it today I left the nut on a few turns and pickle forked it, popped right loose. When we get to the PS gonna do the lower first. __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454



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