e3pres

I have started the front-end rebuild on my '79. I have loosened all the nuts on both ball-joints. I've driven a 'pickle-fork' into the joints to separate them. They've started coming apart, but they won't break loose! What do I do? I'm going to try to borrow an air chisel with a pickle-fork implement on it. Any other suggestions?

TIA,

Sharky80

It's verry easy to remove ball joint if you hammer the side of it.
:smash: :smash: :smash:

Jim-K

I used a large tie rod end puller from autozone. I think it was about 9 dollars. a few cranks on that and the ball joint popped right out. It also didn't destroy the boot.

(chain spring, jack under the lower control arm... you probably know this...)


Jim-K

Gary79

get a bigger hammer :D

java0881

+ :D





[Modified by java0881, 9:55 PM 8/8/2001]

The Wanderer

I bought an air chisel with a pickle-forks off Ebay ... wouldn't do jack :mad :mad Bought a 5lb ball peen and whacked it once :smash: and it came apart immediately :lol:

e3pres

I finally got it. I had to borrow another pickle fork. I used both of them together and finally got the drivers side loose. I went around to the other side, and tapped on it a couple of times. The d@mn thing fell right out. I think it was just the car having a little fun with me.

Thanks for the help,

Steve Straus

Make sure you guys aren't using pitman arm seperators when you're doing this. It's a common mistake and can really give you a lot of grief. The inside of the jaw on the tie-rod seperator will only be slightly wider than the stud on the ball joint. The pitman arm seperator will be significantly wider.