HELP lower control arm & ball joint (1 Viewer)

[terningene]

I’m about to lose my mind over this thing!!

Trying to get LCAs off so I can take them to get new lower ball joints pressed in. I cannot get the joint loose from the knuckle and chipped the knuckle in the process. Watched videos, read every thread I could find here, wailed on it with a hammer, jacked up under it with and without hammer, PB Blasted a few times a day since Sunday. Nada.

Pictured is all the tools I bought for this. The separator on the right’s opening is too small to fit over the boot. The biggest puller was causing some movement until it slipped off dramatically and caused the chip. Kinda hesitant to try that again but I’m wide open to advice!!

(nut is not flush like it looks in the picture)

 

[bgolf247]

Sorry I can't help, but I am watching since I need to do this and this is exactly what I am worried about. Getting everything apart and then not able to get ball joint out

 

[Peabody]

Since you're getting new ones anyways, you may try heat. Grab a MAP torch from your local hardware store and heat it up from the bottom. Then I would give the hammer a try again. If that didn't work, heat it up and try the separator again.

 

[DirtDawg]

Air hammer with pickle fork attachment. Tried a whole day with other tools and this was the only thing that got them off.

 

[Leandro]

I used one I bought at harbor freight, like the one at the far right in your picture. Is hard to get it to fit, you need to find the perfect angle, once in apply some pressure and a good hit with a 4 pound hammer should do the trick

 

[shanester]

Get some ear plugs, and go to town again. Beat the mother ****er and don’t stop.

 

[pbreisch]

I just did mine, they didn’t pop till I used heat.

 

[ScottyD]

Watch Chris Fix on you tube and try to get the tool set he uses. He has a set with round tubes and c-clamp to get them out and pressed back in.

 

[ScottyD]

Advanced Auto Rental - Ball Joint Press
How to Replace a Lower Ball Joint (short, quick version)

 

[terningene]

Thanks for the replies. I have a “heat gun”/embossing tool I’ll use tomorrow, better than nothing. If that doesn’t work it’s going back together and I’ll gladly trade labor costs for my sanity!!

I had bought a c-clamp ball joint kit in preparation for this actually.. got Amazon trigger happy before looking under the truck and realizing there’s no way I’m getting a c-clamp in there with that pesky axle in the way. Should work for the uppers at least!

 

[2001LC]

I can't tell you how many times I've released all three ball joints from knuckle with the puller circled in red. Just get it on square and use the biggest wrench you've got to get it very very very tight. A little oil on the threads of puller is helpful. Sometimes I give a good wack while puller on with 5lb sledge to get it to release. One or two wacks and it pops!

You can use the one the red arrow is pointing at also, but must get LCA high off the ground to get it under.

You may find this helpful to press ball joint in and out, without removing control arm.
Ball joint & ABS unit replacement plus stuff.. on 98LC W/151K
Sample of what's in above link.

 

[olive]

I just got some replacement CV shafts and I'm waiting on the ball joint kit from cruiser outfitters and this is what I fear I will be spending all day doing.

 

[BEG]

This is definitely the most frustrating part of LBJ replacement. Especially if you've done the CVs already and think you're a pro at popping the ball joints, until you realize the Pitman arm puller you used last time doesn't fit with the brake dust shield in place (DAMHIK). If you want to save the LBJ, a constant cycle of heat, penetrating fluid and impact (torch, PB Blaster, BFH) work well as long as you're patient. If you're already replacing the LBJ and don't care about damaging the boot, a pickle fork on an air hammer/rivet gun works wonders.

 

[BEG]

I just got some replacement CV shafts and I'm waiting on the ball joint kit from cruiser outfitters and this is what I fear I will be spending all day doing.

This job is much easier if you're doing CVs at the same time since you already have to remove all the parts that create the clearance problems in the first place.

 

[Peabody]

I was actually able to replace my CVs without doing the LBJs. On both sides. Patience was a virtue, but it's doable.

 

[BEG]

I was actually able to replace my CVs without doing the LBJs. On both sides. Patience was a virtue, but it's doable.

I didn't mean replacing them, I meant separating them from the knuckle.

 

[Peabody]

I didn't mean replacing them, I meant separating them from the knuckle.

Sorry, that's what I meant also. I was able to replace both CV axles without separating the LBJs. Everything I've read said it was necessary. But, that could be a good indicator that my LBJs are bad and need to be replaced.

 

[lt1fire]

would it not be simpler to remove the lower arm instead of the brakes, and knuckle when doing the ball joint... you then would have all the room in the world

 

[suprarx7nut]

Heat, hammer and maybe a puller to put tension on it while you wail away. An air hammer may help too if you've got a big compressor.

Ball joints are a pain. In my experience a regular old hammer has worked better than any tool meant for the job. Good luck!

 

[FxFormat]

Get a brass hammer and just beat the crap out of the knuckle, mine popped right out with a few good whacks, you're not hurting anything, no worries, just whack it off.