Control Arm Help

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by chevguy7

Will I have to worry about tearing the boot on the ball joint? I want to avoid this since the ball joints and boots are all brand new.

I did front end work for a living for years and never use a pickle fork unless the ball joint won't separate from the spindle any other way.

Take the cotter key out, back the nut off several turns and hit the "spindle" beside where the stud from the ball joint goes through it with a bfh. I mean one that is about 2-1/2 lbs. I use a machinists hammer.

The idea is to pop the stud out of the spindle. I usually turn the spindle so that it is turned out on the side I want to hit with the hammer and then hit it squarely with the handle of the hammer on pretty much the same plane as the shaft on the spindle.

Do not hit the stud on the ball joint though.

I've done who knows how many like that and it's a lot better than using a pickle fork. You will still have to use a pickle fork if you have the spindles powder coated or painted all fancy though.

Once you have the control arm out changing the shaft and bushings is fairly simple.