Need Help... Removing stuck ball joint?

[Kerpal]

I'm trying to replace the driver side ball joint on my car but I can't seem to get it out of the a-arm. It should be able to be forced downwards out of the a-arm, correct? I've tried hitting it with a big hammer both on the 'flange' area and on the top of the threaded stud, and it's actually not even moving. The balljoint itself looks to be original and is pretty rusty, I sprayed it with penetrant but so far it's still not moving.

Is there anything else I can do get it out? Would heating it up with a propane torch possibly help?

I'd really like to avoid taking it to a shop or replacing the entire arm if I can...

 

[dyb003]

Yes heating up the control arm will help. The control arm should be supported by a jack or jack stand before you start hitting it. Hitting it without having it supported will just make the control arm bounce around and you wont get a good solid it. DONT be hitting the control arm with the hammer you may distort where the ball joint seats. Hope this helps. Good luck

 

[wythors]

FAR easier is to go down to your local auto parts store or rental place and rent yourself a balljoint press.

This will allow you to both remove and install your balljoint without damaging anything.

 

[89white50]

Wythors beat me to it, you really need one of those presses to do a proper job.

 

[Kerpal]

Doh, I didn't realize the press was used to remove them as well. I thought it was only for installation. I've already rented one so I'll go and see if it works.

 

[Kerpal]

Looks like the press I rented from autozone is just a little too short to fit over the ball joint...

Hopefully shucks will have one that's a little bigger, I see how this would work, if only it would fit over the ball joint with the correct adapters...

 

[HISSIN50]

I used the same press (I now own one) and have used it a couple times. Are you sure you have the adapter bushings oriented the correct way? And that they all were included in the kit?

Grabbing another press sounds like a plan. Good luck.

 

[onefstsnake]

I would not recomend heating the suspension arm.

This will weaken the metal.

get a press like they said.

 

[vikingpower]

Oyyy, you're trying too hard! Just take them to NAPA and they'll do it for you.

 

[Kerpal]

Hissin, is the press you have made by OEM? The one I rented only came with 2 adapter bushings and 3 sleeves... like this:

I wonder if it might have been missing some parts... That piece second from the right on the bottom row in wythors' pic almost looks like what I would have needed to make it work. I tried it every way I could imagine and it was just about 1" too short to fit with the adapters provided.

I haven't even been able to find anywhere else that rents the press, so if a different autozone doesn't have one with more adapters, I guess I'll have to pay a shop...

 

[Mavrick]

I went and bought a ball joint press when i saw it on sale. I've used it a few times. It makes removing/installing ball joints a breeze.

Kerpal, just think about the arrangement of spacers and keep trying. What you have pictured above should be sufficient to remove them.

 

[HISSIN50]

Kerpal, the kit I rented from AZ was nicer than the one I have now (mine now is a real cheapie). I have done a fox BJ with each kit. The one I have now only has two 'adapters' (tall shims) and it has like 3 flat washers (shaped like a big fat washer that Calc teachers like using in differentiation lessons).

I had to fart around with my adapters to get it to work like I wanted - that was why I thought you might just need to rethink how to toss that junk together. I know I tried to do something backarshwards the last time I did it. I stepped back and saw where I was going wrong (it seemed as though the clamp would not be tall enough).

I do know that I snake the clamp in the top of one adapter and then slide the bottom under its spot. In other words, the absolute height of the adapters is taller than my clamp. But because my clamp goes 'over the wall' of an adapter, and then can go upwards inside the wall, it provides more room.

I just woke up - sorry that is so hard to decipher.

Good luck