Front Suspension disassembly????????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: Van Wert Ohio
Front Suspension disassembly????????
I started on my winter project on replacing control arm bushings,ball joints and tie rod ends. Tie rods were easy but I've been unsucessful in popping the first ball joint. I started with the lower using pickel fork and hammer but no luck. Can I use heat? What about the screw type removers from Auto Zone? What are the tricks? Any suggestions are appreciated!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Front Suspension disassembly???????? (vett79)
Well, I had to walk 8 feet to measure my pickel fork, and in fact it is 3/4 inch between the tines... and if yours is not that wide, grind it out...or get another one....bet that is the problem....
GENE
GENE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Front Suspension disassembly???????? (vett79)
I'm assuming your popping them with the spring and all still in place - right?
Start with the top one and loosen the nut a quarter inch or so. Then use the coil tension to your advantage and tap on the side of the casting that the post goes into. If it doesn't pop then use the fork. It will pop. From memory now, I don't think you can pop the bottom one while it's still om the car. Ithink the coil puts pressure in the wrong direction. (correct me if I'm wrong guys). Then remove the lower control arm with the spindle. Put it in a vise so you can use gravity and the fork on the bottom joint. Tapping on the sides where the tapered shaft goes in seems to really help.
Start with the top one and loosen the nut a quarter inch or so. Then use the coil tension to your advantage and tap on the side of the casting that the post goes into. If it doesn't pop then use the fork. It will pop. From memory now, I don't think you can pop the bottom one while it's still om the car. Ithink the coil puts pressure in the wrong direction. (correct me if I'm wrong guys). Then remove the lower control arm with the spindle. Put it in a vise so you can use gravity and the fork on the bottom joint. Tapping on the sides where the tapered shaft goes in seems to really help.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Kingston Tn
Re: Front Suspension disassembly???????? (lbell101)
Hey man,
The other guys posting are all on the right track, but finesse aside, you've really got to whack that pickle fork to break the ball joint loose. I mean really slug it; -rest a while, and come back and hit it again!
'74 Turbocharged 350, "Molested to Perfection," class of '71
The other guys posting are all on the right track, but finesse aside, you've really got to whack that pickle fork to break the ball joint loose. I mean really slug it; -rest a while, and come back and hit it again!
'74 Turbocharged 350, "Molested to Perfection," class of '71
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 401
Likes: 21
From: SF CA
Re: Front Suspension disassembly???????? (vett79)
Spray some lubricant in there, and leave it for half an hour.
When you get back hammer the picklr fork in as far as it can go. Make sure you have a friend nearby to make sure the car doesn't come off the jack stands. AND MOVE IT UP AND DOWN AS HARD AS YOU CAN until it breaks.
That's my two cents.
When you get back hammer the picklr fork in as far as it can go. Make sure you have a friend nearby to make sure the car doesn't come off the jack stands. AND MOVE IT UP AND DOWN AS HARD AS YOU CAN until it breaks.
That's my two cents.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 0
From: No longer a member
Re: Front Suspension disassembly???????? (vett79)
vett79,
Call Art at Van Steel, order the suspension rebuild video. It covers the front and rear suspension, gives lots of tricks on how to do things the easy way. Best $20 you can spend! http://www.vansteel.com/ It's no Hollywood production, but I watched it 4-5 times before doing my rear suspension and it helped greatly.
Call Art at Van Steel, order the suspension rebuild video. It covers the front and rear suspension, gives lots of tricks on how to do things the easy way. Best $20 you can spend! http://www.vansteel.com/ It's no Hollywood production, but I watched it 4-5 times before doing my rear suspension and it helped greatly.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 1
From: Frankfurt, Taunus Hills
Re: Front Suspension disassembly???????? (kenincanada)
I tried to use a pickle fork on my cars, but even with excessive hammer blows :smash: it refused to break loose.
Totally different with the screw type splitter tool. Set it up, turn the wrench (it also needs some kind of force! :blueangel: ) and wait until it pops!
Be sure that you have the nuts still on the joints!
Otherwise the spindle will pop out.
BTW, if you are careful, the front springs don´t pop out, they just drop out.
All cars I worked on lost their front springs by lowering the lower A-Arms and let them drop out. Use a chain as insurance!
If you have more Questions mail me or post!
Totally different with the screw type splitter tool. Set it up, turn the wrench (it also needs some kind of force! :blueangel: ) and wait until it pops!
Be sure that you have the nuts still on the joints!
Otherwise the spindle will pop out.
BTW, if you are careful, the front springs don´t pop out, they just drop out.
All cars I worked on lost their front springs by lowering the lower A-Arms and let them drop out. Use a chain as insurance!
If you have more Questions mail me or post!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: Van Wert Ohio
Re: Front Suspension disassembly???????? (454Big)
Thanks for the tips.........I think I'll try the removal tool from Auto Zone this week-end and see what kind of lucl I have . Keep you all posted.