I know this is more of a suspension section appropriate question but its on a 3rd gen and I need some face

I can not get my drivers side lower control arm off. Im using a ball joint fork and a 4lb hammer. Its up on jacks so the suspension is just hanging. Ive tried banging the fork in between the spindle and control arm. Ive tried using it as a lever. Neither moved a thing. Ive tried pounding directly down on the stud. Ive tried a 16oz hammer and a 4lb sledge. I need to get this broken piece of crap off my car and I'm contemplating taking it to a shop but I dont know that theyd do anything different. Am I doing something wrong? Ive used probably an entire can of PB blaster on the joint. Any help, encouragement, fun making is appreciated.


Dave

 

Ive tried using a little pittman arm puller but it just slips off because the stupid spindle is round!!!grrrr.

 

It sounds like you know how it will separate (i.e. you are banging/prying on the right thing, in the right direction).

Do you have a way to suspend the upright, so that your hammer hits to the ball joint stud will be effective? I bet that one good whack would break it loose IF you can keep the upright in position. I can't remember what kind of bottom surface is available to keep the upright in place. I'd hate to damage a rotor or transfer hefty shock loads to the wheel bearing, but a concrete block under the rotor is the kind of thing that might help.

-Max

 

Slide the pickle around the balljoint stud in between the spindle and the control arm and hit it HARD a few times. When they're stuck and refuse to come out just whack it harder. It WILL pop loose but it takes a very sharp and solid whack if it's stuck. Make certain the ends of the pickle aren't catching on something or digging into the control arm.

 

I can put the rotor on my jack with a towel but getting the hammer in there for a good hit in the tight space is the challenge so far...

And thanks for the encouragement Damon. Im gonna see if I can move my jack stand to get a nice wind-up. The pickle's opening is a little wide for the application as well so Im going to search for a narrow one. And, pick up an acetylene(sp?) torch. I read that properly applied heat may ease things a bit.

 

^ The easiest way that works for me is to turn the steering at full lock towards the side I'm working on. So if I'm working on the left I turn the steering fully left. I then slide the pickle in with the end pointing in roughly the same direction as the tire. This gives you lots of room to bang it really hard and not make you nervous.

 

I know how you feel. I couldnt get mine to budge a few weeks ago when I replace it. Those damn things are stubborn. You really have to smack it to get her loose. Just keep applying more and more power till it releases.

 

Thanks a bunch guys. Most of what im hearing is "get a bigger hammer"/"hit it harder". Hopefully ill have this sorted out tonight. Its been screwing me for a while now.

 

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhg

huge swing. huge hammer. no luck.

 

You said the lower arm was toast huh...Why dont you sawzall off the ball joints bolt right below the spindle, then use a C clamp to push it out from the top?

 

i have always had good luck hitting the reciever that the ball joint stud goes into with a little pressure applied pressing the arm down.

and an air hammer will always help...

 

That would require me to buy a sawzall....Its a horrible idea....I love it.

 

Had to update this. I didn't buy a sawzall. I went out and got a nice pickle fork kit from PepBoys with an air hammer attatchment. It has different fork opening sizes and stuff and I figured if i couldnt get it off with an airhammer I'd have to take it to a professional. Tonight I had a few beers and decided to try out the forks and give it a couple whacks with the sledgehammer for ***** n giggles. I immediately noticed it worked better and after about 15 good taps it dropped. Im sad that I didnt get to buy an airhammer or a sawzall but Im so fooking excited it was this simple. Now i can take my stupid car out of my "garoom" Wohooxor!!!1

Dave