control arm

ok, so i am trying to replace the control arm on a 1996 grand am, but i am having trouble with the piece that the tie rod and rotor are connected to. i got the codder pin out and the bolt off but i am unable to detach it from the ball joint. I thought it may be easier to just leave all of that piece intackt and just remove the brake assembly and tie rod. If i did do that, would i have to remove the nut that holds the bearings in? I guess i am just really at a loss, i dont know what to do next. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help or insites.


Jon

ok, so i took out the codder pin, and loosened the bolt that holds the ball joint to the control arm, so if i get a pry bar will i be able to just pry it off. because that seems like a really easy fix.

To replace the control arm you HAVE to separate the ball joint from the knuckle. There are 2 ways to do it - get a "Pickel fork" - insert it between the knuckel and the lower control arm and whack it with a hammer (this is the right way) - or just whack the side of the knuckel where the tapered part of the joint seats and it will pop loose.