how to separate ball joint from spindle

[jayman12]

hey guys, i am having trouble separating the ball joint from the spindle on 97 se any help would be appreciated.

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

What special automotive tools are you using? You can get a ball joint separator tool at most auto parts stores. Also, try some PBBlaster and let it soak in for awhile.

[jayman12]

hey man what kind of separator would be best? would a pickle fork be good because there isnt any room for anything else because of the cv joint is really close to the top of the stud. I loosened up the castle nut all the way but it wont fall off because its hitting the cv.

[BNaylor]

On the ball joint /stud separator GM recommends is a "J" special tool. J 41820 so what ever matches that. It does not look like the standard universal pickle fork type. Sorry no pic to post.

The last time I replaced a ball joint or the lower control arm I used PBBlaster and a piece of wood like a small section of 2X4 and carefully using a hammer beat down on the lower control arm until the ball joint shaft dropped off the steering knuckle and at the same time working the nut loose.

[jayman12]

hey thanks for the info ill try the 2x4 method. Ill let you no how it turns out.

[tblake]

I had one binding up on me, so I think it may have got hot and tempered itself to the spindle. Only way I could get that one off was a pickle fork and a 5lb hammer. If you are replacing the ball joints, I would go for the pickle fork as its a cheap tool, bit if you are not replacing the joints, the pickel fork can rip your boots.

[jayman12]

hey man thanks for the info, but i managed to get it separated with a pry bar. It poped right off. Now im trying to figure out what kind of replacement ball joints and tierods to go with. napa has about the cheapest but are they good quality? they are master ride chassis with one year warranty. any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

[grandprixgtx00]

i would go with either Moog, or OE AC Delco.

[tblake]

X2 on the Moog. They are a bit more spendy but will last longer. Ac delco quality has been not up to snuff lately it seems like.

[jayman12]

hey man now I could really need some advice on drilling out the rivets on the balljoint. I already drilled an 1/8 hole through them and i quess i will have to purchase a larger bit for the rivet head. I have never attemped to do this before and i dont want to ruin my arm. please help.

[tblake]

Have you considered just buying complete replacement lower controll arms? The come complete with new ball joints and new front and rear bushings. Other than that, 1/8 inch hole seems rather small for those rivets. Do you have a die grinder? I usually grind the tops off down to the controll arm, then you will see the rivit and from there it is usally just a matter of tapping them out with a punch.

[jayman12]

thanks for the suggestion on the die grinder. I quess i will go pick one up at walmart. although i read somewhere that someone used the small bit for the rivet and then 1/2 for the head but it seems kind of risky. im pretty sure im going to go with moog balljoints,bushings,and tierods from advance auto they got a sweet deal right now with 16% off over $160 purchase so it will save about 57 dollars on everything. thats online only