I have a ball joint that is stuck in the lower control arm. I've tried hitting the outside of the control arm where the ball joint goes through but the ball joint won't pop out. Is there any way to get it out other than with a pickle fork? In my experience in this type of situation, the pickle fork usually rips the boot on the ball joint. And I really don't feel like replacing the ball joint. Any ideas?
Stuck Ball Joint
- Thread starter mike7
- Start date
454ragtop
Well-known member
If this is on a suspension with upper and lower A arms, I've made a tool to go between the 2 ball joints. Basically a chunk of steel with a fine threaded bolt. You take the nut off the ball joint you want to remove, and use the tool pressing against the other ball joint to push it out.
HTH, Jim
HTH, Jim
alex71
Well-known member
Hit it harder using a bigger fh
LEVE
Well-known member
Are there any snap rings/Circlips holding it in place?
cagullett1
Well-known member
I've had good success with this ball joint separator:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html
Wot car/van is it?
W0rLDWaR4
Well-known member
Use this.
Use a bigger hammer and hammer it out. (make sure there's no retaining clips)
Those two usually make it for me. Unless I get pissed off and bring out the air hammer and pickle fork.
If you have to, remove the control arm so you bang the sh*t out of the ball joint to force it out.
Bigplum
Well-known member
Saw a YouTube video on this , the chap jacked the arm up , put a snug fitting nut or spanner in the gap , then dropped the jack quick , as the arm dropped down the gap closes and shocks/pushes the joint out ,
Never tried it myself , I use the biggest hammer I can find , sometimes hang a heavy bar on the bottom to give a bit of preload if it's being stubborn ,also using two big hammers either side of the joint works too
Never tried it myself , I use the biggest hammer I can find , sometimes hang a heavy bar on the bottom to give a bit of preload if it's being stubborn ,also using two big hammers either side of the joint works too
ex-x-fire
Well-known member
Double hammer, a club one s8de and hit the other, ive never had tbis fail, unless the sping configeration is pulling the joint close ie audi with the double wishbone set up and vans with a leaf spring that goes across the front or a torsion bar setup this needs to be realeased before undoing
I had one that was really stuck once. No matter how hard I hit with a fork + BFH it didn't budge.
I didn't have a torch so I ended up using a sawzal to cut the ball joint in two. Then I was able to use a press to push out the stuck piece.
Good luck!
I didn't have a torch so I ended up using a sawzal to cut the ball joint in two. Then I was able to use a press to push out the stuck piece.
Good luck!
Flange
Well-known member
I use a 6 foot bar to load the joint and then give it a whack with a 2 or a 4 pound hammer. It has never failed me yet.
It is easier with 2 pairs of hands, one on the bar, one on the hammering.
It is easier with 2 pairs of hands, one on the bar, one on the hammering.
michael murder
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2009
- Messages
- 284
I was told to rap on the steering knuckle with a hammer until the balljoint popped out. However, it didn't work for me.
I had the same problem on a sixties car. I beat the steering knuckle and the top of the balljoint. Tried every suggestion every friend made. Unfortunately the only thing to get them apart for me in the end was the pickle fork. I just put an aftermarket boot on it after I trashed the old one.
I had the same problem on a sixties car. I beat the steering knuckle and the top of the balljoint. Tried every suggestion every friend made. Unfortunately the only thing to get them apart for me in the end was the pickle fork. I just put an aftermarket boot on it after I trashed the old one.
SuzukiGS750EZ
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,273
Pickle fork and penetrating oil. Check for a c clip on it as well.
pepi
Well-known member
Smartest idea here, ^^^ betting the **** out of something just destroys other parts every time you miss the target.
pepi
Well-known member
Smartest idea here, ^^^ betting the **** out of something just destroys other parts every time you miss the target.
NKlamerus
Well-known member
I can't see the picture, but I would try using...a ball joint press?
And if 1 hammer doesn't work get a bigger one. All I've ever used is a 4lb mini sledge.
I'd also soak it PB or something of the sorts
And if 1 hammer doesn't work get a bigger one. All I've ever used is a 4lb mini sledge.
I'd also soak it PB or something of the sorts
NKlamerus
Well-known member
Any progress
85FourEyedGT
Well-known member
I've never had a problem using a standard ball joint/pitman arm puller, they are cheap and work like a dream
phfittingj
New member
- Joined
- May 28, 2014
- Messages
- 2
You take the nut off the ball joint you want to remove, and use the tool pressing against the other ball joint to push it out.
Karl_B
Well-known member
If a few good blows to the side of the knuckle doesn't do it for me, I usually run the nut off, flip it over so I don't mess up the top of it, then run it back down upside down so that the flat of the nut is just higher than the top of the stud. If one or two good hits doesn't free it that way and I don't plan on replacing the ball joint, then it's time to use one of the various pressing methods.
Sometimes you might find it easier to replace the joint than try to save it.
Sometimes you might find it easier to replace the joint than try to save it.
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
Sometimes a 2 ton bottle jack works for me if it is IFS. Put the tiny little bottle jack in between the two control arms just like the tool pictured above. Also it would help if you mentioned the vehicle this was on as there are a bunch of tricks to different vehicles. In most cases the pickle fork will get the knuckle away from the balljoint, but you still need a means of pressing the joint out of the control arm or C on a straight axle. Do you have an autozone near you? or another parts store you could borrow a press from?
GirchyGirchy
Well-known member
That's what I did for my truck ('98 Chevy C1500). Used a coupler nut with two bolts, worked great.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
When brute force fails, use more brute force. I have had ball joints with a 200 lbs man hanging on the end of 5' bar while I beat on it with an 8 lbs sledge. Never meet a bail joint I couldn't get.