i've already installed my poly bushings kit and i'm putting my front lower control arms back on.
i've already popped the control arm off the ball joint and i'm trying to figure out how to get it back on. it took a fair amount of force to get the two separated, so i'm assuming it will take a bunch to get them back together.
will a few smacks with a big hammer do it? or will i need to get some tool?

 

Well if you are just trying to get the ball joint and the lower control arm back together then you should be able to just put the ball joint from the knuckle in the lower control arm and thread the castle nut back on and start tightening it up and the ball joint should start to press its self back into place, and if the ball joint its self is spinning when you try to tighten it down just place some pressure down on it either by yourself or with the help of someone else and tighten at the same time and when your all done, don't forget to use a new cotter pin. Well I hope this helps, if not just let me know thanks.

 

so it looks like i can just re-tighten the nut and it will pop back in.

 

Shouldn't really have to use that much force, usually I can just put it where it is supposed to be, then start to tighten the bolt and it will be fine. Good luck

 

that all makes sense, but its just odd that it takes so much damn force to get them apart but they just slide back together....

 

yea I know what you mean, but some things in life just don't make sense.

 

Its called a morse taper. It is designed to lock together with very little torque. The taper mulitiplies the clamping force 10X. When you hit it from the side it forces it to pop out. But you got to hit it like you are mad at it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tpr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But you got to hit it like you are mad at it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's hard to get one off without getting mad at it actually!

 

You just need a ball joint remover that looks like a 2 prong fork. Just tap it in between the knuckle and the ball joint and you'll separate them.

 

If you have it out of the car grease it and use a hydrolic press or put the control are back on and when you start tightening it use a prybar or a big set of channelocks to hold it from spinning