The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks LOWER BALL JOINT REMOVAL-HELP!!

1962 1/2 ton - Well, I read up on it, sounded easy enough... just remove the bolt and smack it a few times and POP out it comes! I don't Think so, I spent a good hour hamming away with a 2lb. hammer and NO LUCK! The uppers popped loose pretty easy. I'm trying not to use a Pickle Fork because the ball joints are fine and I don't want to spend $189 ea. to replace them (by tearing up the boots) - just trying to put on my new spindles. DOES ANYBODY HAVE A GOOD METHOD OF GETTING THE LOWER BALL JOINT TO BREAK LOOSE? I have no torch , so I can't really put heat to it.

Thanks

when you think you hit it hard enough, hit it harder

This tool will do the trick.
There is a lower cost version available from Harbor Freight that seems to be as good of quality. I have one of each, the HF one has held up very well. i could not find it in their online catalog, though.

Take a butane torch and heat it up alittle around the bung on the control arm and smack it with the hammer. Or...go to a good alignment shop that has some good guys working at it. You might hit it lucky and they might pop it out for free.

Well, finally broke down and used the Pickle Fork (lubed it good with grease to keep it from ripping boot) and it popped after about 10 good smacks... HAPPY CAMPER :-) I think using grease and not being to aggressive with pickle fork worked very well in saving the boot from damage - should have tried this earlier, could have saved myself days of sore shoulders!