Help! UCA replacement

I've been smashing the uca with a dead blow hammer trying to break the ball joint loose and it wont budge. Is there a trick, or should I just go get a separator?

 

I got a cheap separator at harbor freight. If you have one around. Otherwise, good luck with all the hammering. I just did my '09 for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

 

Hit the spindle, not the UCA.

Edit: there is a flat surface on the spindle. Hit that location with a 2lb hammer. Maybe a little WD40, as well.

 

^^ this too!!

 

Get a pitman arm separator from the parts store, it will make quick work of it and they only cost about $15.

 

Alternatively, hit the spindle with a touch for a minute, then hammer on the UCA bolt.

 

I've also found it's not how hard you hit but sometimes where, try multiple taps at it in different areas.

 

you may also be able to rent a pickle fork or whatever from your local parts place to separate them.

 

put the castle nut back on the ball joint. When it comes apart, you dont want all of that to fall apart. Just a couple threads is fine

 

Get a bigger hammer.

 

Lol, that was my first thought.

Thanks for the quick replies everyone, I'm heading down to the parts store.

 

I had to use this on mine. Also works well for outer tie rod end.

 

This worked for me!

 

A dead blow will not do it, You need a hard hammer. The size doesn't matter much but it's the shock that breaks it loose. And do like @fatfurious2 said and put the nut back on a few threads.

 

this is key to removal

 

Did you try it?

You can lead a horse to water...

 

I ended up getting a separator from the parts store ($10) and that worked as advertised. Everything is installed, 5100's front and rear with OME 885's on the bottom clip and 1.5" blocks out back. I haven't been able to drive it yet because I destroyed one of the brake lines going to the front caliper but so far the "bro lean" is unbearable. I hope this thing settles about an inch and a half once I start driving it or I will have to do something drastic.

How much height can I expect out of an aal?

 

1-3", depending on OEM spring condition and whether or not you keep the overload spring installed.

 

The OEM springs have been replaced (I assume under the recall). I think I really need to get it on the road and see how everything settles before I make any rash decisions. If I end up getting the aal should I take the blocks out?

 

Do you have a canopy? My truck came stock with the 3+1 leaf pack(same as TSB) and pre-lift it sat dead level and needed the 1.5" AAL to bring the rear back up.