AAAHhhhhhhhh!@!!!!!!!

She wont give it up. I got the tie rod off. But I'm having one hell of a time getting the spindle off the a-arm. Any tips/hints would be greatly appreciated.

 

Pickle fork or a couple of ball-peen hammers.

 

or you could smack the area on the spindle around the balljoint with a good heavy dead-blow hammer a bunch of times... just make sure youre supporting the control arm

 

got the pickle fork.....was trying to pry it off alone with that but couldnt get it to budge. Ill try with the hammers

 

The pickle fork isn't a prying tool, it's a wedging tool. Hit it with a bigger hammer.

 

After supporting the A-arm, I left the ball joint nut at the top of the threads, and whacked it really good with a small-handled sledge - she popped right off. I was replacing ball joints anyways, so damage to ball joint wasn't an issue for me.

 

use a tie rod or pitman arm puller. rent one for like 15 bucks at a auto parts. makes the job easier.
Martin

 

thanks for all the advice. Didnt realize the fork was a wedge. I tried prying again before reading this thread and gave up a few hours ago. I'll give it another shot tomorrow by wacking it really good. Thanks for all the great input.


Oh and tryng to pry with the fork only tore some of the rubber of the ball joint. Oops. Another casualty, but after today I realize I should probably replace them while I am here.

Trying to get my big brakes (LS1 style) on.

 

ok i got it.. I removed the caliper and rotor and got the fork in position, perpendicular to the car and gave it a WHACK with a large sledge hammer. Came loose in 2 swings.

Now for those ball joints.