Popping lower ball joint loose

[northerngmc]

Ok, I have been hammering and reading, search some more and reading some more, then more hammering.....

I am attempting to get the lower ball joint out of the spindle so I can change the front coil springs in my truck.

Truck is a 1968, 3/4 ton.

I have the tire off, the shock removed. The truck has a jack supporting the frame with a couple of axle stands in place as a back up plan. I have a floor jack sitting under the lower a arm, about an inch away.

I have the castle nut loosened on the ball joint and the top of the nut is flush with the top of the ball joint threads.

I have also inserted a bolt with sockets between the ball joints as a press. To the point I can not turn the nut any further.

I started with project yesterday afternoon and I have soaked the joint with penetrating oil.

I have read that I need to beat on the spindle where the ball joint goes through and it should pop. If not, get a bigger hammer and hit harder.

Do I need to remove the steering arm that wraps around the ball joint and connects to the spindle?

I am only able to get the ball end of a 2 lb hammer onto the corner of the pad and I am rounding the corner.

It is the right front corner and I have the wheels turned completely to the left to I can access it to pound on from the front.

How do I hit it with a bigger hammer?

[WIDESIDE72]

on a disc brake equipped truck I have had to remove the rotor so I could whack it in line with the spindle, if that makes sense. Like you I could not get it to pop loose when hitting it from the side. Drum brake trucks just take longer to get everything out of the way.

I suppose you could also have someone hold a big drift pin or something solid 1' diameter round stock or similar and a foot or so long on the side of the spindle and whack it with a sledge hammer.

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

on a disc brake equipped truck I have had to remove the rotor so I could whack it in line with the spindle, if that makes sense. Like you I could not get it to pop loose when hitting it from the side. Drum brake trucks just take longer to get everything out of the way.

I suppose you could also have someone hold a big drift pin or something solid 1' diameter round stock or similar and a foot or so long on the side of the spindle and whack it with a sledge hammer.

I was hoping to not have to remove the entire drum assembly.......

[hotrodsinner]

This tool works great! Never let me down.

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by hotrodsinner

This tool works great! Never let me down.

Does that damage the ball joint?

What is it called?

[Highlander72]

Air hammer on the spindle right outside of the ball joint taper can also work well. Or a pickle fork....but that will probably tear up the rubber. Get rid of the floor jack under the control arm, the tension of the spring will really help.

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by Highlander72

Air hammer on the spindle right outside of the ball joint taper can also work well. Or a pickle fork....but that will probably tear up the rubber. Get rid of the floor jack under the control arm, the tension of the spring will really help.

The jack is simply there as a back up. It is below the a arm and an inch away, holding nothing up.

[Highlander72]

Oh sorry, misread that.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by hotrodsinner

This tool works great! Never let me down.

This tool works great for tie rod ends...I've never tried it on ball joints, if it fits I imagine it would work just as well.

[jlsanborn]

BFH like you're doing. Maybe a chunk of 1" shaft as a punch? Heat? At this stage it's not a real big deal to replace ball joints if there's any question of their condition. In that case the pickle fork should do the trick too. Happy hammering!!

[hotrodsinner]

It's never damaged any I've used it on. I've used this on several vehicles. It's called a ball joint separator. If you google it you will find it. This is a OTC brand tool, but their is other makers and models out there. Works like hot knife through butter. You slide the one open end over the ball joint, underneath the boot though so u don't tear it. Then the arm on top on the shaft. Tighting it down real snug, then hit it with a air wrench. And POP!

[northerngmc]

I am calling it a night.

Re think it tomorrow.

How much trouble is it to take the back arm of the a arm off? That was one suggestion I read.

[notsolo]

I will be Trying this the next time ball joint needs to be removed.....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624464

[northerngmc]

I tried a similar press using the lower shock bolt but it won't budge. I am going to try and larger bolt tonight.

[lolife99]

I have a 8lb -10lb sledge that I use.
I cut the handle much shorter to make it easier.
Normally disconnect the tie rod so I can take hits on the front side and then switch to the rear.
It has worked on all my lowering jobs except one.
On my 2wd blazer I ended up cutting the balljoints off.
(they were rusted solid to the spindles)
Since I was replacing balljoints and spindles it didn't matter.

The key is getting a good solid hit on the spindle.
Everything you are doing is the exact same way I remove mine.
Good luck.

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I have a 8lb -10lb sledge that I use.
I cut the handle much shorter to make it easier.
Normally disconnect the tie rod so I can take hits on the front side and then switch to the rear.
It has worked on all my lowering jobs except one.
On my 2wd blazer I ended up ciutting the balljoints off.
(they were rusted solid to the spindles)
Since I was replacing balljoints and spindles it didn't matter.

The key is getting a good solid hit on the spindle.
Everything you are doing is the exact same way I remove mine.
Good luck.

Thanks, I am just having a problem of getting a really good swing with a BFH into the spindle with everything else there.

[n33k0]

Is there any reason a ball joint press can't get the job done? Honest question, I have to replace my ball joints soon and I was planning on renting this type of tool from the local auto parts store.

[lolife99]

Balljoint press is to remove and install a balljoint into the lower a-arm itself.
The OP is just trying to get the lower balljoint off its taper in the spindle.

[GMC-YA68]

Hit it harder. It will come.

[hotrodsinner]

Get the ball joint separator. It works every time.

[northerngmc]

Well the ball joint has separated.

Heat. Hit. Heat. Hit. Repeat.

I am having to press the ballpoint out though....


The lower control arm will not go past the backing plate for the brakes......
Posted via Mobile Device

[northerngmc]

Here is what I am up against.

[northerngmc]

And again with the pics rotated.

[Xeen]

Just replace the ball joint it likely needs replaced anyway and even if it doesn't who cares ball joints are cheap.
Moog is a good quality replacement part.
www.rockauto.com is your friend.

[hotrodsinner]

Please go buy a ball joint separator. They are cheap. Like 20 bucks. It will take care if you're problem in two minutes.