HELP!!! Control arm stuck to ball joint!
#27
08-25-2018, 04:48 PM
1st Gear
#28
09-26-2018, 06:13 PM
There are a ton of threads and youtube videos on separating the inner and outer ball joints. I've read/watched most of them, to get ideas on how to pop the ball joints. Most folks recommend using a large pickle fork on the inners. Uhh... pass... I don't want to tear the boots, as I'm not planning on replacing the joints (just need the LCAs out to replace the bushings w/ Powerflex).
I haven't seen any mention of what finally worked for me: thread a 3 ft steel stake ($5 at Lowes) from above, and hit it hard with an 8lb maul ($35 at Lowes).
First, I dulled the pointy end a bit, by hitting it with the maul.
For the outers, I turned the wheel and threaded the stake next to the brake calipers, with the stake's pointy end resting in the LCA's indentation, right next to the ball joint pin. The stake extended up and a little away from the car... 4-5 hits and the outers separated.
The passenger inner was similar, except I used the stake's flat part against the LCA, right next to the inner ball joint. The stake thread up next to the oil filter, into the engine compartment.... 6-7 hits on the stake pointy end and the joint separated. (The driver inner actually separated itself when I popped the driver outer... go figure...)
The whole thing was a PITA, because I tried a dozen different methods before figuring out the stake thing. Wish I started with that ;-)
I haven't seen any mention of what finally worked for me: thread a 3 ft steel stake ($5 at Lowes) from above, and hit it hard with an 8lb maul ($35 at Lowes).
First, I dulled the pointy end a bit, by hitting it with the maul.
For the outers, I turned the wheel and threaded the stake next to the brake calipers, with the stake's pointy end resting in the LCA's indentation, right next to the ball joint pin. The stake extended up and a little away from the car... 4-5 hits and the outers separated.
The passenger inner was similar, except I used the stake's flat part against the LCA, right next to the inner ball joint. The stake thread up next to the oil filter, into the engine compartment.... 6-7 hits on the stake pointy end and the joint separated. (The driver inner actually separated itself when I popped the driver outer... go figure...)
The whole thing was a PITA, because I tried a dozen different methods before figuring out the stake thing. Wish I started with that ;-)
#29
09-26-2018, 07:25 PM
5th Gear
There are a ton of threads and youtube videos on separating the inner and outer ball joints. I've read/watched most of them, to get ideas on how to pop the ball joints. Most folks recommend using a large pickle fork on the inners. Uhh... pass... I don't want to tear the boots, as I'm not planning on replacing the joints (just need the LCAs out to replace the bushings w/ Powerflex).
I haven't seen any mention of what finally worked for me: thread a 3 ft steel stake ($5 at Lowes) from above, and hit it hard with an 8lb maul ($35 at Lowes).
First, I dulled the pointy end a bit, by hitting it with the maul.
For the outers, I turned the wheel and threaded the stake next to the brake calipers, with the stake's pointy end resting in the LCA's indentation, right next to the ball joint pin. The stake extended up and a little away from the car... 4-5 hits and the outers separated.
The passenger inner was similar, except I used the stake's flat part against the LCA, right next to the inner ball joint. The stake thread up next to the oil filter, into the engine compartment.... 6-7 hits on the stake pointy end and the joint separated. (The driver inner actually separated itself when I popped the driver outer... go figure...)
The whole thing was a PITA, because I tried a dozen different methods before figuring out the stake thing. Wish I started with that ;-)
I haven't seen any mention of what finally worked for me: thread a 3 ft steel stake ($5 at Lowes) from above, and hit it hard with an 8lb maul ($35 at Lowes).
First, I dulled the pointy end a bit, by hitting it with the maul.
For the outers, I turned the wheel and threaded the stake next to the brake calipers, with the stake's pointy end resting in the LCA's indentation, right next to the ball joint pin. The stake extended up and a little away from the car... 4-5 hits and the outers separated.
The passenger inner was similar, except I used the stake's flat part against the LCA, right next to the inner ball joint. The stake thread up next to the oil filter, into the engine compartment.... 6-7 hits on the stake pointy end and the joint separated. (The driver inner actually separated itself when I popped the driver outer... go figure...)
The whole thing was a PITA, because I tried a dozen different methods before figuring out the stake thing. Wish I started with that ;-)
#30
12-18-2021, 10:03 PM
I
Congrats man I feel your pain I'm still having the same problem I cut the ball joint off over top of the control arm and went ahead and pressed the new ball joints in because I had to get the tool back so I could get my money back now I'm stuck with the bottom of the ball joint in the control arm I've tried everything cannot get it out
#31
12-19-2021, 08:07 AM
#33
10-30-2022, 10:48 PM
You beat the TOP ball? wouldnt that push it into the tapered shaft even more??
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