How do I remove the tie rod and ball joint?

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member

Sep 28, 2003

3,651

4

68

Indianapolis, IN

Jul 26, 2008

#1

• Jul 26, 2008

• #1

I got a new spindle from a junk yard. I removed both nuts on top of each stud, do i hammer these things out? Or is there a special tool i have to get?


Thanks in advance

 

drakesdad

Member

Jul 29, 2005

961

0

16

Oregon OHIO

Jul 26, 2008

#2

• Jul 26, 2008

• #2

Nate,
A "pickle fork" works well for removing the ball joint........

 

94GTCoupe

10 Year Member

May 7, 2006

1,412

92

79

CA

Jul 26, 2008

#3

• Jul 26, 2008

• #3

like he said above,a pickle fork to seperate the spindle from control arm.
or do you mean getting the ball joints out of the control arm ?
try this..click on link below.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member

Sep 28, 2003

3,651

4

68

Indianapolis, IN

Jul 26, 2008

#4

• Jul 26, 2008

• #4

For now i just need to seperate the stud from the spindles. Not replacing the ball joint or tie rod. Does that help?

Can i use that fork for both?

And any tips for replacing the tie rod?

 

chaos254

Founding Member

Jul 27, 2002

467

3

29

NJ

Jul 27, 2008

#5

• Jul 27, 2008

• #5

use the the fork to remove the spindle from the control arm. For the outer tierods you just loosen the nut behind it and then unscrew it. Real simple but put some tape on it to mark how far the tierod was screwed in. This will keep your alignment somewhat normal. That way it won't be to far off for your drive to the shop.

if your replacing balljoints i would recommend the 03 cobra control arms. Makes the install much easier, plus you get new bushings.

 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member

Sep 28, 2003

3,651

4

68

Indianapolis, IN

Jul 27, 2008

#6

• Jul 27, 2008

• #6

I will be upgrading to 03 arms later.

The spindle is also attached to the tie rod. Do I use the fork here too? (sorry if the answer is above, still isnt clear to me)

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

Jul 27, 2008

#7

• Jul 27, 2008

• #7

You could use a pickle fork on the tie rod (though you might have to shim the fork so it fits the smaller tie rod surface).

Or Remove the nut on the tie rod. Then I just hit it with a 4# hammer to knock it out of the spindle.

Or you can use a pitman puller on the tie rod.

 

nmcgrawj

Advanced Member

Sep 28, 2003

3,651

4

68

Indianapolis, IN

Jul 27, 2008

#8

• Jul 27, 2008

• #8

thanks guys

 

chaos254

Founding Member

Jul 27, 2002

467

3

29

NJ

Jul 27, 2008

#9

• Jul 27, 2008

• #9

sorry if i wasn't clear, I hit it with a hammer to seperate the tierod from the spindle

 

M

madams74

Founding Member

Jan 26, 2002

664

1

17

Maryville, TN

Jul 29, 2008

#10

• Jul 29, 2008

• #10

Amazingly enough you do not need a pickle fork on most of these tapered joints. If you use a hammer to strike the sides of the steering knuckle right where the joint goes through it will drop right out. You will not damage the knuckle at all. Just keep striking it right below where the castle nut was at all around, 5-10 hits and it will drop.

 

fyassine

Founding Member

Jun 4, 2000

331

0

17

Austin, TX , US

Nov 15, 2010

#11

• Nov 15, 2010

• #11

davis3 said:

like he said above,a pickle fork to seperate the spindle from control arm.
or do you mean getting the ball joints out of the control arm ?
try this..click on link below.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Click to expand...

I hate to bring this one up from the dead but I am having one hell of a time removing the ball joints. I went so far as to purchasing the same kit from Harbor Freight and just want to see if anyone has actually used to remove their ball joints.

I've tried just about every configuration imaginable with that kit and it just doesn't seem to do a thing. I am just hoping that I don't need any type of adapter kit like this: 14 Piece Master Ball Joint Adapter Set

 

Adam95GT

New Member

Aug 14, 2006

2,564

3

0

Burlington, NJ

Nov 15, 2010

#12

• Nov 15, 2010

• #12

fyassine said:

I hate to bring this one up from the dead but I am having one hell of a time removing the ball joints. I went so far as to purchasing the same kit from Harbor Freight and just want to see if anyone has actually used to remove their ball joints.

I've tried just about every configuration imaginable with that kit and it just doesn't seem to do a thing. I am just hoping that I don't need any type of adapter kit like this: 14 Piece Master Ball Joint Adapter Set

Click to expand...

use a bfh.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

Nov 15, 2010

#13

• Nov 15, 2010

• #13

I've used that press to remove BJ's from the LCA.

 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

20+ Year Stangneter

Jun 14, 2004

9,301

1,643

214

Acworth, GA

Nov 16, 2010

#14

• Nov 16, 2010

• #14

The pickle fork will destroy the rubber on the joint, if not the joint itself. A hammer can damage the the threads. Get a tool called a "Pitman arm puller" and use that. It will seperate the joint without doing any damage to any parts.

Advance Auto Parts: Pitman Arm Puller by Performance Tools - Part AC567/W142

Kurt

 

fyassine

Founding Member

Jun 4, 2000

331

0

17

Austin, TX , US

Nov 16, 2010

#15

• Nov 16, 2010

• #15

Thanks for the information.

I was able to finally get that sucker out. It all boiled down to piecing this tool together in the wrong fashion. I put together a junky diagram that should help to clear this up for any other idiots like me.

 

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