My upper ball joints are pretty well frozen in the spindles.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Any ideas on how to free the ball joints from the spindle?
Thanks,
Ted
If you use a pickle fork, most likely you'll need a new ball joint... use two big hammers hitting around the spindle where the ball joint goes into, ans it'll pop right out
Most of you guys are talking about the lower, if the upper is stuck i would hose it with wd40 or pb blaster let soak and then hit the bottom a little bit. That's if it is the upper and not the lower, it should just be a pinch bolt on there and shouldn't be stuck on that tight
You have to completely remove the pinch bolt at the upper spindle to ball joint connection to have a hope of getting the ball joint out of the spindle. If these are OEM bolts there is a knurled section under the head that has likely dug into the spindle pretty good by now. Dave Dalke and I had to beat the bolt out with a sledge hammer. Destroyed the bolt so be prepared. Once the bolt is out it is doubtful you will need a pickle fork....but you might so again be prepared.
Make sure the bolt is out there is a ridge that will prevent it from sliding out. If you pry with the bolt in you wont get anywhere.