Anyone had this problem before. I'm attempting to install a new axle, and the threads on the lower ball joint stripped. I bought a new ball joint. Problem is, the old ball joint is still in the spindle, stuck in the LCA. I've tried heat, beating it with a hammer, etc.

 

a press works well

 

lower ball joints are a bitch and a half! you should be able to take the knuckle off and beat it out (hitting the threaded side out) with ease. the hardest part by hand is getting the new ball joint in. i used a ton of grease, a 21 or 22 mm socket, and a 4" c-clamp to get mine in, something i never want to do again....oh and the boot tore to hell going in

good luck

 

I got a press from autozone, but I'm not sure if it can be used with the spindle/LBJ still on the car.

 

Get a big chisel and put it between the lower part of the knuckle and the lower control arm. Whack away with a big ole hammer.

 

CUT IT!

 

no one mentioned that there is a c-clip that secures the ball joint in the LCA, remove it and a few strikes with a hammer will pop it out

 

you should be able to use that press with it stil on the car

 

I destroyed that, as well as the entire rubber boat around it.

 

and you sure you got every little piece completely out from the groove?

cause if you heated the spindle around it and tried to hammer, it SHOULD have popped out, unless there is something caught and not letting it slide through

 

A picture would be nice. If you are going to beat it only a sledge hammer will pop that joint out. I know this from experience and it has happened to me before. Or you can rent one of those ball joint removal kits from autozone or Kragens.

 

Sometimes ya just got to stop trying to find an easier way, and go about it the way you know it will work...



I managed to saw through about half of it, and then started yanking on the spindle. It started bending the bolt, so I put more weight into it, and it snapped. Then sure enough, the bottom half the bolt just lifted right out....so WTF was keeping it in there?

Oh well, onwards project.

 

it looks like that clip is gone that holds it in, id put it upside down and goto town on it with a hammer, use the concrete as your friend..

or do u still have that ball joint press???... it has to come out one way or another that thing isnt welded in

 

i think you guys are confusing the knuckle and the lca. the ball joint in held to the knuckle by a circlip. the ball joint is held to the lca with a castle nut.

OP, try this trick
http://www.tuner-junction.com/TJForu...val-trick.html

if it doesnt pop the first time, give the ratchet a good kick

 

^great link, will try that the next time i end up messing with the lbj, too bad i just spent $7 on a ball joint separator from harbor freight

 

the op has it off the car already he needs it out the housing... i would just beat that beast till its came out since its screwed up now u got a flatter edge and it might come out with a decent mallet

 

I think he meant he has the ball joint out of the knuckle already. But he didn't know what was keeping it in there, am i right?

 

ahh, cant see the pic at work. my answer was more for the original question i guess. i think it would have solved the problem as opposed to cutting it.

to get the remaining ball joint out of the knuckle i suggest using something like this
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...1JA8CK4RWTSXFQ

you can rent it at your local parts store

 

any updates?

 

I was about to suggest that but I saw this, this is exactly what I have done in the past. First time I ever tried it it worked perfect!

 

Back from the dead but Great link, this helped me out today after an hour of banging away....

 

I discovered that this is the easiest way to remove the lower ball joint from the lower control arm and it is not even necessary to remove the whole steering knuckle from the car:

I hope this helps those who are currently experiencing the same problem: