Replace Upper Control Arms (pic)

[ralphcap]

Installing new upper control arms that include bushings and ball joint. I have removed the control arm. What is the procedure for removing the ball joint shaft from the spindle?

[otter]

The old-school way is to use a pickle fork; this may work just fine for you, since you are replacing the ball joint and don't care about preserving this one. An alternate method is to give the ball joint one, or a few, good sideways whacks with a BFH to break the seat on the taper, followed by threading the nut back on and hitting it from below to get it out.

[ralphcap]

Thanks otter. I've used a pickle fork and beat the hell out of the ball joint but it's not budging. Has anyone used heat on the spindle to release the ball joint shaft?

[vandor]

You are supposed to use the pickle fork when the BJ is still attached to the arm, which is attached to the car!
With it flopping around like that you won't generate enough force to remove it.

[124spiderman]

This will work. However It looks as though you have separated the ball joint from the a-arm by the 3 bolts (or rivets).
You should re-attach the 3 bolts and connect it back to the a-arm.
Make sure the a-arm is not supported (ie) the spring must be extended. Jack up the car from the crossmember and place axle stands. The suspension should be hanging. This way the force of the spring helps the ball joint to separate as its tapered fit. DON'T USE HEAT!! You will distort it.
If you don't have a ball-joint separator you can use a ball-pien hammer and hold the hammer face to the top spindle (there should be a flat raised surface) where the ball joint is then hit the end of the ball-pein hammer. NEVER DIRECTLY HIT ANY SUSPENSION OR STEERING COMPONENT DIRECTLY WITH A HAMMER OR ANYTHING.......DANGER - DANGER- !

[ralphcap]

Thanks 124spiderman. I will follow your instructions.

[124spiderman]

Let me know how you go.
I have attached a couple of pics to show you the method I use. (I do remove the wheel however.....)

[ralphcap]

Thanks for all the helpful postings. My upper control arms have been successfully installed thanks to two friends and a really big hammer.