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Help! Stuck Lower Ball Joint/CV removal questions as well

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by goldentaco03, Jul 12, 2018.

  1. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:16 PM
    #1
    goldentaco03

    goldentaco03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm replacing my lower ball joints and CV axle and I have everything apart but I cannot get the stud to separate from the control arm...any tips? I've soaked it with pbblaster and hammered away for an hour on both sides of the arm and the stud itself.

    Any help is much appreciated.
     
  2. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:18 PM
    #2
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    Can you rent a pitman puller from an auto parts store? I’d get one of each sizes.
     
  3. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:20 PM
    #3
    goldentaco03

    goldentaco03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking of going back tomorrow and getting the pickle fork set, didn't look at pitman pullers though...
     
  4. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:22 PM
    #4
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    I rented a set of pitman pullers then forgot to return them so now I own them. They’re pretty handy and I’m glad I have them.
    They’ll pop the stud out super easy.
     
    Speedytech7 likes this.
  5. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:24 PM
    #5
    goldentaco03

    goldentaco03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Do you know what size will fit the lower ball joint, I'm not sure if my credit limit will allow me to rent one of every size right now considering I just rented $200+ of tools the other day
     
  6. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:25 PM
    #6
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Are you using the 2 heavy hammer method? I've never had it not work.
     
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  7. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:26 PM
    #7
    goldentaco03

    goldentaco03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm using a mini sledge and hitting both sides then the bottom. i don't have a lift so I can't really swing that hard.
     
  8. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:27 PM
    #8
    goldentaco03

    goldentaco03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    upload_2018-7-12_21-27-3.jpg

    This is what I'm looking at, the middle one looks like its adjustable, would that be better than the non adjustable ones?
     
  9. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:31 PM
    #9
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    I only swing 1 hammer. I have the heavier one just resting against the back of the joint and put all my power in the lighter of the 2 hammers. I think I use a 4 lbs. for the back one and a 2 lbs. one to really swat it.
     
  10. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:36 PM
    #10
    Snatch Me

    Snatch Me Yeehaw

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    have you done it before?

    Have you tried putting a jack under the knuckle and raising it to help relieve some of the binding?

    Make sure you have someone or something holding that knuckle when you do get it to separate.
     
    Weejub likes this.
  11. Jul 12, 2018 at 6:46 PM
    #11
    goldentaco03

    goldentaco03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have the knuckle on a jack stand off to the side, and yes I had a jack under the stud.
     
  12. Jul 12, 2018 at 7:04 PM
    #12
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    I’d say second from the right. The far left is sized more for a tie rod ball joint. I’m unfamiliar with the other 2.
     
  13. Jul 12, 2018 at 7:58 PM
    #13
    Snatch Me

    Snatch Me Yeehaw

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    Gotcha. That’s what I thought when you said you had ‘everything apart’ but wasn’t sure.
     
  14. Jul 12, 2018 at 8:01 PM
    #14
    mechanicjon

    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

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    Picture of how you have this jacked up?
     
  15. Jul 12, 2018 at 10:04 PM
    #15
    arctic04trd

    arctic04trd VA7XTE

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    Not big enough. One came out easy. The second one was a bitch. Find the biggest hammer you can. I used a 15lb sledge. And I only use a bottle jack and a couple 3 ton jacks in my dirt driveway to work on the rig. Four swings as hard as I could. Popped right out.
     
  16. Jul 13, 2018 at 1:04 AM
    #16
    zero4

    zero4 Metal Cutter

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    Forget the pickle forks, they're useless IMO and they always damage boots (doesn't matter in your case). Get the pitman arm puller as suggested. But I too say get a bigger hammer. I always just use BFH & never had an issue popping out a ball joint on any car I've worked except for the RSX, the lower arms will get f'd up.
     
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  17. Jul 13, 2018 at 3:45 AM
    #17
    Area51Runner

    Area51Runner Well-Known Member

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  18. Jul 13, 2018 at 4:14 AM
    #18
    goldentaco03

    goldentaco03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Here’s my setup, jack was under the ball joint stud, I let the jack down overnight so it’s not shown here. Don’t mind the mess

    6DCBCF75-52A4-4B08-B693-56A7DC66C2FE.jpg
     
  19. Jul 13, 2018 at 4:15 AM
    #19
    goldentaco03

    goldentaco03 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    And as far as getting the cv all the way out...my sway bar end links are not coming off without an angle grinder. Can I just disconnect the lower shock bolt?
     
  20. Jul 13, 2018 at 5:07 AM
    #20
    DawsonDestroyer

    DawsonDestroyer Well-Known Member

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    Pickle fork is how i got both mine out
     

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