Upper Control Arm Can't Remove

I can't figure out how to remove the upper control arm because of this thing here:

http://www.skyfallmusic.com/1234.jpg
http://www.skyfallmusic.com/2345.jpg

If you could tell me how to get that off I'll give you a virtual cookie!

theres a cover that u have to unbolt, (2 bolts) take it off, and undo the nut off the ball joint and there u go

theres a cover that u have to unbolt, (2 bolts) take it off, and undo the nut off the ball joint and there u go

He's right....remove the cover and you'll see a castle nut with a cotter pin through it. You'll probably need a ball joint separator to break them apart, or if you're replacing the ball joint then just hit it with a hammer.

I'm replacing the entire arm.

With this:

http://images.autopartsworld.com/live/L200057366SNK.JPG

did ya get it off yet?

I havn't had time to try, I got the part though. I had to work until 8 yesterday, then do homework and a lab report for today, and I have class from 9 to 9 today, but when I get home, I think I'll do it. Is there a special way that I line up the two bolts with the bushings on them? Or do I have to pay another $60 to get my wheels aligned? I sure hope not, this is getting expensive.

Ok, so I got the castle nut off and now I can't get the whole freakin' arm to come with it. I've been whacking it with a hammer for about 20 minutes now and it's not budging. I've tried wedging wrenches and stuff in between the actual ball joint and the part that the ball joint bolt is sticking through and smacking that with a hammer, still no good. What tool do I need to fit in that small space and pull that bolt out? I'm frustrated and wanna get this part done!

you need a pickle fork. looks like a long bar with a "U" shape on one end that slides in there, hit it with a hammer and pop it out

Sweet, thanks for the info, I guess I'll have to pick that up tomorrow. Are there any 24 hour auto parts stores? :smile: Any idea how much they run($)?

we sell them at canadian tire for i think 40 bucks canadian. however we inherited one in my family and it has gotten many a use outta it :) so just buy one because u'll always need one anyways

That's expensive, I figured it would be like 5 bucks.

lol, well 40 canadian is like 5 bucks for u guys haha

I used a Pitman Arm Puller. You can get them from harbor freight for like $6. They are better than a pickle fork because it wont damage the ball joint when you use it. It also works on tie rod ends.

you could get a ball joint puller. really easy to use, like a vise and it will pop it right out. you can get one at any auto store like autozone, advanced auto. i used it for that and had no trouble.

Need a bigger hammer

if he gets a pickel fork he needs air tool to use it.us pb blaster and hit it with a mallet.or u can heta up the bushing with a tourch

pickle forks dont need an air hammer. we have one and u just whack it with a hammer

With the Pitman Arm Puller, how does it work? I looked on ebay and found a few, they're expensive, it looks like it just grabs onto the ball joint and you do the pulling, is this right? I can't see how that would help if that's the way you use it because I grabbed the whole control arm with one arm and held the other part down with the other and pulled the crap outta that thing and it didn't budge. I ordered a pickle fork set on ebay, it comes with an air thingy adapter, so I don't need that part of it.

Now I remember why it took so long to replace my upper control arms (well, went a little smoother the second time). My friend went to Advance Auto and bought a valve-puller and that's what we used. I still feel bad cuz he spent the money on it and then got stitches in his forehead...

EDIT: Using the valve-puller had nothing to do with the stitches my friend got...

With the Pitman Arm Puller, how does it work? I looked on ebay and found a few, they're expensive, it looks like it just grabs onto the ball joint and you do the pulling, is this right? I can't see how that would help if that's the way you use it because I grabbed the whole control arm with one arm and held the other part down with the other and pulled the crap outta that thing and it didn't budge. I ordered a pickle fork set on ebay, it comes with an air thingy adapter, so I don't need that part of it.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2496612463&category=4399

ONLY $15

No...it doesn't grab the ball join, it works by wrapping the u-shaped part around the steering knuckle with the U facing up. You have to be sure the one you buy has an opening smaller than the width of the steering knuckle. The threaded rod in the center locates on the bottom of the ball joint bolt (where the castle nut came off). Then you put your ratchet on the pitman puller and tighten it until it pops free. Works like a champ.

Autozone will let you use a ball joint separator for about $12. You get the $12 back when you return it. It's called the loan-a-tool program.
I pounded on mine for half an hour using the 'just wack it with a hammer' method. I got the ball joint separator (also called a pickle fork), three wacks and it came apart.
Use the right tool!
Flunky

Autozone will let you use a ball joint separator for about $12. You get the $12 back when you return it. It's called the loan-a-tool program.
I pounded on mine for half an hour using the 'just wack it with a hammer' method. I got the ball joint separator (also called a pickle fork), three wacks and it came apart.
Use the right tool!
Flunky

I've used both methods (pitman and bj separator) with success. Pickle forks are fine, if you are trying to re-use the ball joint (which it sounds like you're not) just be careful not to damage the bj boot with the pickle fork. Putting a little grease on the fork I've heard helps.

Sounds like you've got this one covered.

I FREAKIN FINALLY GOT THE BASTARD OFF! I had to go rent a Pitman Arm Puller, but it worked and the new one is on. Here's the new question. Do I have to lubricate the new ball joint? Or should it have already come lubricated? Also, how can I check? Remember that I got the whole upper arm assembly. Thanks!