Replacing a ball joint... Argggghhh

makriluc · 12-07-2008, 05:54 PM

Ok, 96 Cobra. Replacing a ball joint. How the heck do you get the ball joint shaft out of the knuckle......
The car is jacked on stand under the frame, so the suspension is free of the car's weight. I've loosen the ball joint nut for half an inch. I've sprayed PB Blaster, heated the knuckle, now hamering on the friggen nut, nothing. It's not moving. I tought it would be easy as the is probably still some tension from the coil spring......
Any toughts would be appreciated
Thanks

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Tazzy · 12-07-2008, 06:03 PM

Don't hammer the nut, hammer the side of the knuckle that holds the shaft with a good sized hammer.

4.698GT · 12-07-2008, 06:08 PM

jack up on the control arm to put a good amount of pressure on it, then start whacking at the balljoint with a good 3 to 4 lb hammer

vanquish · 12-07-2008, 07:04 PM

If all else fails there is an air tool snapon (and possibly other companies) makes to get them out. You should be able to hammer it out or use a regular ball joint tool. You should have this tool if you're putting the new one in anyways right?

03greyGT · 12-07-2008, 08:44 PM

Yea theres a ball joint tool, sometimes called a pickle fork. Its a U shaped tool thats tapered. You wedge it inbetween the spindle and control arm and pound the heck out of it with a hammer. Thats the best way to do it IMO

BlackStang31 · 12-07-2008, 10:08 PM

yea the u shape on an air gun. done thats wat i use at work

vanquish · 12-07-2008, 10:24 PM

yes that would be easiest. However, if he is doing balljoints to begin with, you need the regular balljoint tool that is required to press the new balljoint in. You definately have this or else you wouldn't be taking the old joint out. I always try to hammer the old one out too but you can use the tool you should already have to get the old one out.

makriluc · 12-08-2008, 03:52 AM

I need to replace the boot as it is all cracked. All I need is to is to seperate the ball joint from the knuckle. I don't need to replace the whole ball joint and I know it is pressed in the control arm. I've tried the pickle fork to no avail. I'll try to get my hand on a BJ puller. So at least I was doing it the right way.
Thanks for your comments guys.