removing control arm question

hello. when removing the control arm, you need to loosen/remove the nut from the top of the ball joint. after that, does the control arm just fall out of there, or do you have to somehow force it out? what is the best way to do this?

http://www.justanswer.com/questions/1k0j6-how-to-remove-control-arms-from-99-grand-prix-to-service-control


Front wheel

Antilock Brake System (ABS) wheel speed sensor connector and jumper harness from the retainer

Stabilizer shaft link

Cotter pin from the ball stud and loosen the nut



3. Install a ball joint removal tool over the ball joint and lower control arm. Rotate the ball stud nut counterclockwise to separate the ball stud from the steering knuckle.

4. Remove the lower control arm.



To install:

1. Install the lower control arm and bolts. Do not tighten the nuts at this time.
NOTE
Align the ball stud cotter pin hole parallel to the knuckle to ease the cotter pin installation.


2. Install the ball stud to the steering knuckle. On Grand Prix, and 2001 Impala and Monte Carlo, tighten to 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm) plus an additional 120 degrees.

3. Install or connect the following:

New cotter pin and bend the ends. Make certain the ends do not make contact with the ABS wheel speed sensor

Stabilizer shaft link

ABS wheel speed sensor wire harness to the retainer clips

ABS wheel speed sensor connector



4. Install the lower control arm nuts and torque them to 83 ft. lbs. (113 Nm)



you can probably rent that tool from a parts store

there's also a way to use a hammer to the side of the ball joint so you won't ruin the boot...

haha, sounds ALOT like my factory service manual. no parts store in my town has a tool like that, so i was wondering if there was another way to do it

there's also a way to use a hammer to the side of the ball joint so you won't ruin the boot... sorry i didn't explain it fully

here's a youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PjkfDp8mLE&feature=PlayList&p=43DB415484CD7579&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=27

isn't youtube how-to vids great???

its a saturn, so close enough to get the point on how to pop the ball joint from the LCA... see how he left the nut on the top of the ball joint stud so it won't pop off violently?

if the ball joint is part of the new LCA unit, i guess you can rent a "pickle fork" since you don't have to worry about tearing the dust boot

http://www.ehow.com/video_2327952_use-upper-lower-ball-joints.html

or buy a pickle fork. I got mine new for about 8 bucks.