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ball joint stuck!!!

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ok so i was trying to replace my ball joints today. i read through all the other posts but i still cant get mine to come out. this is what i did:

 

took wheel off

removed pinch bolt all the way

sprayed everything with pb blaster and let it sit

wedged a screw driver in the pinch seam

started hamering down on the control arm

 

 

after about 30 min of doing that i could get the joint to move up and down maybe a millimeter. hammered some more and i couldnt get it to move any more then that. what am i doing wrong?

Once you have it moving you're just about there. I took the load off by putting a jack under the control arm and jumped on a really long pry bar instead of hammering. Hammer a fat flat-head screwdriver in the pinch joint (making sure not to impede the removal of the joint).

It'll come.

I usually use a long pry bar between the control arm and sub-frame. I know on one car I had to detach the swaybar.

  • Author
Once you have it moving you're just about there. I took the load off by putting a jack under the control arm and jumped on a really long pry bar instead of hammering. Hammer a fat flat-head screwdriver in the pinch joint (making sure not to impede the removal of the joint).

It'll come.

 

what do you mean "took the load off" wouldnt putting a jack under the control arm not let it swing down when the ball joint pops out? where did you put the pry bar?

spray it w/ p-b blast and let it sit overnight. if that doesn't work hit it with a torch to heat up the metal, carful not to torch any rubber parts. when you put the new one in coat the top w/ ant-seaze or grease, so it wont rust to the top of the sleeve(the problem you now have)

I put a jack under the arm to support it more securely so I could pry against the knuckle. I pried between the control arm and the knuckle with the wheels cranked one way or the other.

If it moves at all then it will come. Try more lube and knocking it back up and down a few more times. That will hopefully work the lube into the tight spot.

pickle fork is money well spent. ball joints take 13 seconds to remove. i don't even bother messing with them any more, my time and sanity is too valuable - i have a new one on hand and am done in no time.

long pry bar with flat pointy end (like you use for digging holes)

slide in there somewhere to push down on arm... done..

 

:rolleyes: I did the same as you kind of till I asked the same question... and I happended to have my favorite digger bar... worked great for me.

being from the south I just tapped the knuckle off gently with a hammer....

pound on it in an upward motion it will come off.

 

and the pickle fork was great for getting the baljoint out of the LCA!

  • Author

well i cme up with a good idea to get it out. this is what i did:

 

took the nut off of the stem

 

took it out of the lca

 

rented a sliding hammer

 

used the part you use for a wheel hub

 

tightened the nut

 

gave it a couple pounds and it came right out!!!

 

but when i went to the drivers side and started on the pinch bolt the head twisted off....:mad: so i went to the auto store and got a new bolt. now i just need to go back and drill it out and replace that one

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