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I attempted to remove a stuck lower ball joint with a specialized tool as recommended by the Service Manual as Hammering the control arm didnt do much.
I put a nut on the lower ball joint thread as specified in the manual. The ball joint came loose but the thread is now swollen/damaged.
Im not a native english speaker so i might have misunderstood something about " Be sure that the hex nut is flush with the ball joint pin end". What does "is flush with" mean ?
My guess was that the nut and the end of the thread should present a "flat surface" but im not sure now.
Also how do you remove ball joints in general without damaging them, any tips ?
Basically, you want the ball joint tool to exert force on the hex nut and not the threaded stem/pin. If you exert force on the threaded stem/pin, it will usually mushroom the stem and ruin them. So the nut would be screwed on, but typically right before you would see the stem/pin coming thru.
Basically, you want the ball joint tool to exert force on the hex nut and not the threaded stem/pin. If you exert force on the threaded stem/pin, it will usually mushroom the stem and ruin them. So the nut would be screwed on, but typically right before you would see the stem/pin coming thru.
You can do it with this method though you will most likely need a new castle nut after since putting force onto the nut tends to bend the castle part (not sure what they're called). You can also shock the knuckle with a hammer from all sides if you're more comfortable with that.
If you are trying to separate the ball joint from the control arm the easiest method is to compress the suspension with a jack and put a metal bar inbetween the knuckle and control arm right next to the ball joint. Remove the jack and with a downward kick to the hub it should pop apart.
Yep I agree with the method that Chrisfrom1986 recommends. The handle of a craftsman 1/2 drive ratchet is the perfect tool for the this type of job--its the one that I prefer since it does not damage the ball joint. The one in the drawing is what I use if not the method with the handle or if the boot on the ball joint is already torn I use a pickle fork. If you cannot remove the nut you might have to cut it off either with a hack saw or cut-off tool or even a sawzall might work.
If you are trying to separate the ball joint from the control arm the easiest method is to compress the suspension with a jack and put a metal bar inbetween the knuckle and control arm right next to the ball joint. Remove the jack and with a downward kick to the hub it should pop apart.
Originally Posted by fonkernuckle
Yep I agree with the method that Chrisfrom1986 recommends. The handle of a craftsman 1/2 drive ratchet is the perfect tool for the this type of job--its the one that I prefer since it does not damage the ball joint. The one in the drawing is what I use if not the method with the handle or if the boot on the ball joint is already torn I use a pickle fork. If you cannot remove the nut you might have to cut it off either with a hack saw or cut-off tool or even a sawzall might work.
Lower ball joint removal - Damaged Thread
