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I picked up another 78 a few weeks ago. Thing must have sitting for years. Anyway, a Calif. car with only 30,000 miles. All smog still on it. All hoses still have factory clamps. Bushings all dried out cracked. So I got every thing I thought I needed including a Borg setup. Now I have tried every thing I can think of the coil springs out. My service manual says they come out the back. Other threads here say use jack under a-arm and lower it down. Upper ball joint undone. still won't break loose. Oh, bye the way, both ball joints have rivets.
Sure need help.
Thanks
As for removing the ball joints I like the oem 25297 or 25262. One is listed as a tie rod tool the other a pitman arm tool. They both work great for removing stubborn ball joints.
Ok do this in this order:
Removed the bolts on the lower arm bushings, 5/8 socket.
Remove the lower bump cushion on the a-arm, 1/2 socket 1/2 wrench
Remove cotter pin on lower ball joint. Loosen nut 2-3 turns. 7/8 socket. (It's easier to do it now than on the floor.)
Back off all the tension on the spring compressor but don't remove it.
With the upper nut on 3-4 turns, now use the pickle fork to separate.
When the upper ball joint pops loose, tighten spring compressor until the tension is off the upper ball joint nut.
Put floor jack under lower ball joint nut.
Remove upper nut.
Lower the lower a-arm/spindle assembly.
Move the caliper to behind the suspension and re-hang.
Remove spring.
Remove the 7/8 nut from the rear of the a-arm shaft.. You will need a 13/16 wrench to hold the bolt head on top. Most likely the bolt will be rusted in the shaft. Spray it with penetrating fluid.
Remove the two 5/8 bolts from the front of the a-arm shaft. You will have to swing the arm one way or another to get a socket on the bolts. Remove the bolt closest to the center first.
The arm will probably be stuck on the rear mounting bolt. You will have to wiggle it and pry to get it off. The arm is heavy, be ready for it.
Last edited by tracdogg2; Oct 13, 2015 at 08:04 PM.
Front Suspension bad
