Ball Joint and bushing removal Instructions

[azygoustoyou]

Boy I had fun trying to get the upper and lower control arms off. So I'm making this post.

To remove the ball joints from the control arm:

You have to grind the three pins off around the ball joint on one side to release the ball Joint. I used an air cutting tool which worked great. I then took a punch and tapped the pin out.


To remove the bushings:

All you have to do to remove the bushing on the end of the control arms is get a pipe 1 5/8" inner diameter about 3" long. The pipe I used was 1/8" in thickness. Place it on a block or an anvil (vise) like I used. Put the control arm bushing inside the pipe and hold the control arm. Use a hammer and hit down onto the bushing. Be sure not to hit your control arm. The bushing will pop out after a couple good hits.

[mdrburchette]

Good write up. Are you documenting the installation process too?

[pope]

How did you get the lower control arm bushings out with the included pivot bar?

[azygoustoyou]

Sorry guys, I'm jumping around due to weather. I didn't do that yet. I'll update when accomplished.

[jazzguitarboy]

I know it's been a while on this thread, but did you ever figure it out? I'm doing this on the LeMons Fiat this afternoon, and I'm not sure how to remove the bushings on the arms with the pivot bar.

Also, is there a secret to getting the ball joints separated from the uprights? I clamped them in a vise and used a pickle fork, but one of them just doesn't want to come loose.

[pope]

The lower ones have to be taken to a Auto machine shop where they press them out.

[htchevyii]

I know it's been a while on this thread, but did you ever figure it out? I'm doing this on the LeMons Fiat this afternoon, and I'm not sure how to remove the bushings on the arms with the pivot bar.

Also, is there a secret to getting the ball joints separated from the uprights? I clamped them in a vise and used a pickle fork, but one of them just doesn't want to come loose.

I used this tool that someone on the board recommended: http://www.drivewerks.com/cgi-bin/smart ... temquant=1

I was having a hard time with the tie rods, they were too small for all my pickle forks. I also used this tool to remove the b.j.'s from the control arms, (although it was a tight fit). I use an air hammer to remove the lower bushings, if put it between the outer lip and the control arm it pops it out.

[pope]

Trey, glad things worked out. For my ball joints and control rod removal, I sprayed penetrating oil and wacked the side of the piece where the ball joint arm went through with a good weighted hammer, and it worked perfectly on all of them with no more that 2 wacks. I think it sends a vibration through the piece that frees it up.

[mdrburchette]

I used the same tool Trey mentioned for my tie rod ends but I couldn't get it to fit on my ball joints so the pickle fork and big hammer is what I use.

[ga.spyder]

I used a 12 ga. shotgun.Didnt work well but... damn it made me feel better
Craig