Lower ball joint removal
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Lower ball joint removal
I am trying to remove the passenger side lower ball joint while leaving the rest of the suspension intact. My theory is to raise the car with a floor jack on the frame, put a jack stand under the lower control arm and then lower the car somewhat. Since the steering knuckle comes off the bottom of the ball joint and the upper control arm can pivot freely, with the help of a pickle fork that steering knuckle should fall off the ball joint. Then I could just unbolt the ball joint (it was already replaced at least once) and bolt in a new one.
Obviously, since I am writing, this hasn't worked yet, but I might just need a bigger hammer.
So does this sound like it should work?
Obviously, since I am writing, this hasn't worked yet, but I might just need a bigger hammer.
So does this sound like it should work?
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I am trying to remove the passenger side lower ball joint while leaving the rest of the suspension intact. My theory is to raise the car with a floor jack on the frame, put a jack stand under the lower control arm and then lower the car somewhat. Since the steering knuckle comes off the bottom of the ball joint and the upper control arm can pivot freely, with the help of a pickle fork that steering knuckle should fall off the ball joint. Then I could just unbolt the ball joint (it was already replaced at least once) and bolt in a new one.
Obviously, since I am writing, this hasn't worked yet, but I might just need a bigger hammer.
So does this sound like it should work?
Obviously, since I am writing, this hasn't worked yet, but I might just need a bigger hammer.
So does this sound like it should work?
Next, place the jack back under the A-Arm, jack it up and then remove the nut the rest of the way. Lower the arm slowly will release the spring tension... sounds easy, can be... but sometimes its not.
If the above fails then you'll need to rent you a ball joint removal tool or use a pickle fork.
Willcox
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Jack the car up by the lower a-arm, place a jack stand under the frame to rest the car on. Lower the jack, (this leaves the A Arm free hanging) and loosen the nut on the ball joint about 1/8", then whack the side of the knuckle with a hammer, the joint should pop loose. You'll notice the 1/8" gap you raised the nut will be gone when it does.
Next, place the jack back under the A-Arm, jack it up and then remove the nut the rest of the way. Lower the arm slowly will release the spring tension... sounds easy, can be... but sometimes its not.
If the above fails then you'll need to rent you a ball joint removal tool or use a pickle fork.
Willcox
Next, place the jack back under the A-Arm, jack it up and then remove the nut the rest of the way. Lower the arm slowly will release the spring tension... sounds easy, can be... but sometimes its not.
If the above fails then you'll need to rent you a ball joint removal tool or use a pickle fork.
Willcox
