HELP!!! how to seperate lower ball joint from spindle 2wd.

[Jonny-K5]

i've been trying for over an hour with a pickle fork. it wont budge, i've got the top one seperated but the bottom one is frozen.

i've got a service manual that says to use a special tool that spreads both balljoints apart, but i dont have anything like that. any other methods?

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Get a pickle fork that you can use with your air hammer if you have one. If not, get a bigger hammer.

 

[Jonny-K5]

[ QUOTE ]
If not, get a bigger hammer.

[/ QUOTE ] bigger than a 15lb sledge? it doesnt make sense to me causs the other side just fell apart, i didnt even use the fork. i dont know why this one is such a pain

 

[4xcrazy]

I usually just leave the nut on just barely on the top of the ball joint threads, and letting the spring keep downward pressure on it, and hit it with a BFH, several times, they usually,,,well have always popped off.

After a few or several swings of course, and i only used a 5 lbs.

 

[m j]

I have never used a fork
like above, pressure on it with a few good smashes with a BFH against the side of the casting
have the snapon reamer handy to repair the tapered hole when you deform it

 

[Jonny-K5]

i tried hitting it on the casting as well. i dont know whats up with this thing, its welded in there. i might try using a torch to loosen it up, then whack on it some more. reason im doing this is to replace the whole works with dropped spindles and disc brakes, so i dont care what happens to the spindles, as long as the control arms are undamaged.