Can't disconnect ball joint from upper control arm

Can't get the ball joint disconnected from the upper control arm. The white stuff is lithium grease that I have been spraying on it to lubricate it since the boot is broke. Any tips on how to disconnect these things?

 

Have You tried a hammer on the flat part of spindle knuckle. Should hit it once or twice and it will fall out.

 

Think I used this write up to get mine out. Had to sacrifice a large socket if i remember correctly. Also had a ball joint press rented from autozone, they had the kit with the most adapters. good luck

 

Hit the top of the castle nut with a hammer should pop out.

 

Big fucking hammer

 

2 jaw puller will pop it out in like 5 seconds and you won’t screw crap up by banging on it.....

 

jaw puller, some kroil, time, 3 - 4 days, more kroil, hammer, beer.

Yeah if it hasn't been touched in a long time its gonna be a bitch. Before hammering or using a 2 jaw puller put the castle nut back on.

 

You need a Pitman Puller. A Pitman Puller is absolutely imperative for front end work.

It pops off in 5 seconds with one. $10 at any auto parts store.

 

Then it all depends where you live..

In the great North east Liquid brine belt .

It was real interesting after breaking assorted different pullers I put the job on hold till I work up enough ambition.

Maybe get new upper control arms and steering knuckles and assorted hardware .

 

Take a pitman or three jaw puller and tighten on the ball joint threaded post. When there's a ton of tension, hammer the uca with a small sledge. Give it solid, firm whacks. It'll pop free eventually.

 

Oh actually I had to use a three jaw Puller to remove the upper ball joint. My Pitman Puller wouldn't fit on the upper Control arm.

 

Good deal man

 

This is how I removed the UBJ on both sides:



And the tie rods:

 

You could also try an airhammer on the castle nut, either way if you try a pitman, 2 jaw or three jaw puller, you're gonna need to clean up the bukkake underneath the arm or everything will slide off and when a puller unloads rapidly pain can be intense.

 

spray some PBlaster in there or your favorite penetrating brand. let it sit overnight if possible, spray a couple times.

Being in the salt belt I've never had a stuck bolt minus the U-bolts on the leafs, benefits of oiling the underside yearly (oil everything underneath including wheel wells). nothing a little heat couldn't solve. heat the UCA a little and hit directly down on the castle nut.

 

Ball joint press will help you get it back in. I hammered the hell out of mine to get it out, it doesn't want to come out but you probably wont break anything by doing so. If you're replacing the joint then you don't have to worry about that anyway. Are you doing a mid travel kit with uniball uppers or no?

 

good old pickle fork?

 

If im not saving the balljoints I always used one of these and an impact.

BETOOLL Cast Iron Welders Angle Clamp 0.79 x 1.02 x 0.24"es

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JYFCLX...d1&pd_rd_r=2MR74WJ313D8Z9D8WZ6X&pd_rd_w=Pkvr8

 

this won't fit up there, however it did work on the lower balljoint. The 3 arm puller was what I used.

Its going to be a while to push it out of there but once you get it out get some anti-seize in there.

 

This is what I did. Put some pressure in it tap the UCA with a hammer (I mean give a good whack, don' pussy foot around but don' hit it like you'e trying to break into fort Knox either) put some more pressure in and tap again. Repeat and it should break free eventually.