What is up with my UCAs???! Please help.

Im installing a 3 inch lift on my 2000 tacoma, as well as replacing the UCAs per recommendation. Ive never replaced UCAs before and it seems relatively cut and dry, but heres the problem...the upper ball joint WILL NOT disengage from the UCA!? I know this sounds ridiculous, but this SOB will not budge. Am i missing something? Is there a trick to removing the UCA from the ball joint? It is supposed to just slide out the bottom once all retaining parts are removed, right? I assumed it was just seized up and with proper force, and copious amounts of knocker loose, it would eventually be able to be tapped (or beat repeatedly) out, however after 2 days of f***ing with this, im starting to wonder what im not seeing. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I'm starting to think an angle grinder is the only fix.

 

Well do what i did. That bitch is siezed... No doubt. So just cut the ball joint at the bottom of the shaft and then just leave that part in the uca an put you new one in.

 

Are you using a puller?

 

Pickle fork right?

 

Attempted with a two jaw puller to no avail...ended up cutting it in half and using the gear puller to pop the bottom out of the steering knuckle. Real PITA, had to do the same on the passenger side. All in all, problem solved and front was finished (minus diff drop) but need a project for tomorrow,right? Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

Glad it worked out bro.