ball joints seperating

[bowlofturtle]

Normally i just take a couple good hits on it to the side.

But this one on the maxima is annoying, i'm trying to replace the whole control arm so i dont give a [censored] about the ball joint itself.

I've been smashing it with a hammer and even rented a pickle fork. Nothing gives.

I'm wondering about heat...

http://www.homedepot.com/Bernzomatic/h_d...p;storeId=10051

Think something like this can help me out or a waste of money?

 

[Food Scientist]

Try a ball joint separator besides a pickle fork.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-point-joint-separator-99849.html

 

[bowlofturtle]

didn't see one of those, i did grab a pitman arm puller, that didn't fit nicely over it.

 

[sasha]

i just replaced both control arms on my max 2 weeks ago in my driveway. Was not very difficult. Pulled the axles out of the spindles. took out the castle nut and metal tabs. Used my ball joint fork. And on my marry way with the rest of the work.

 

[eljefino]

All propane is going to do is make your grease leak out and potentially catch fire. Stinky.

Best bet is to get the axle out and just come down on the ball joint stud from above with a huge hammer.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
All propane is going to do is make your grease leak out and potentially catch fire. Stinky.

Best bet is to get the axle out and just come down on the ball joint stud from above with a huge hammer.


Agree.. Have done LCA's on Maximas before.

 

[gomes512]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
All propane is going to do is make your grease leak out and potentially catch fire. Stinky.

Best bet is to get the axle out and just come down on the ball joint stud from above with a huge hammer.


Also the possibility of explosion! I've seen a few Jeep guys heat up ball joints unknowingly... The grease gases and explodes out the joint.

 

[MarkM66]

Hit the pickle fork with a bigger hammer, I use a sledge. It'll come free.

 

[bowlofturtle]

I agree with all you guys as LCA on a max is not remotely hard at all.

axle is out. Still wont give.

I did the pass side with no trouble, didnt have to remove the axle at all. But the driver side is giving me trouble. First i had trouble with one of the back control arm bolts that didn't want to separate from the body, had my buddy bring over his mapp gas torch and warmed it up and we got it loose. But he isn't around to help with this one.

I wanted to warm the spindle for it to expand.

I "came down on the ball joint" with the axle out and well now kinda mushroomed the head, so now i cant put it back together.

I'm going to aim for a bigger hammer and try this

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-point-joint-separator-99849.html

 

[sasha]

BP blaster and lots of it. get a ball joint fork. I have i bought for $10 works like a charm. Could you take a picture of the LCA and post it. show us. Wish i had the car.

 

[bowlofturtle]

just finished the job. I picked up the ball point joint and 4LB hammer at HF. Sadly the opening that slips under the spindle was not wide enough to get a good bite.

The 4lb hammer and pickle fork worked after say about 50 good strong blows. I cant believe how stuck on these were. The other side just pretty much slipped right off with my 1.5LB hammer.

Honestly it was a good work out. Thanks guys, i'll snap a picture of the old arms tomorrow. The ball joint was dead and dried up because i torn the boot and very little grease came out. I ball joint was looser then octo-mom right after birth.

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: MarkM66
Hit the pickle fork with a bigger hammer, I use a sledge. It'll come free.


This^^.

A 3-4 lb hand sledge is way different than a carpenter's hammer.

 

[bowlofturtle]

Here are pictures as promised.

Old arms

The bad balljoint that gave me [censored].