can't get upper ball joint off

[bigpaj]

So i have developed a leak in the front passenger side of the diff, so I bought the seal to try and fix it.

To do this I needed to remove the steering knuckle, which meant removing upper and lower ball joint.

Lower came off easily, but the upper ball joint just wouldn't come off. I broke 2 ball joint removal tools trying to pop the ball joint off, try hammering it from every angle and just had no luck. After almost two days of trying to get it off i am giving up and going to call someone to come out and do it for me. What a waste of money, but i just have no option.

What was I doing wrong, how hard have other people found taking the upper ball joint off is?

[peter92]

to get it out use one hammer held on the back of it and belt the front of it and it falls out
regards peter

[wasarangie]

to get it out use one hammer held on the back of it and belt the front of it and it falls out
regards peter

And if that does not work - Get a bigger hammer. I use 2 7lb hammers, works every time.

[bigpaj]

do you guys hit the nut on the ball joint upwards or the steering knuckle downwards.

Like I said i tried it all. I thought I was hitting quite hard but maybe i just wasn't. I tried with a sledge hammer and normal hammer.

[peter92]

take off the nut and i use a 2 and half pound sledge hammer and yes really swing the hammer but do not hit the nut. the idea of the 2 hammers is to jar the joint loose. it will work. you may need to put a bar , crow bar i use, under the ball joint and with some one lifting up the bar on the ball joint, belt the shit out of the joint until it flies out of the hole
this is how i did mine and it will work
regards peter

[wasarangie]

This may explain it better, although I would just hold one hammer against the side and hit with the other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX7GVWcB-bg

[Matatak]

While you do it leave the nut on a few threads, so if you misshit you dont damage the thread.

[Stevie-Ray]

A couple of tips...

While you do it leave the nut on a few threads, so if you misshit you dont damage the thread.

As there's some thread above the nut, loosen nut 2-3mm & screw another on to the thread (if you need to, take the nut off other ball-joint), tighten the 2 nuts against each other then hammer the nuts to loosen.

Ball-joint remover won't break if you tighten them (but don't overtighten it!), then give it a couple of whacks with your hammer!

Also, if it's difficult to have a good swing at target to hit it accurately & firmly, I use a weighty brass rod in between, which helps prevent damage to remover or threads.

Hope these are helpful, cheers

[bigpaj]

well i got lube mobile to come out and take a look as I couldn't be bothered putting it all back together and driving it somewhere.

They mechanic tried as well and said the ball joint has seized and he couldnt get it out.

So I have bought new ball joints now, and I am going to get them to come back out and cut the old ball joint off.

What a nightmare. Ball joints are tough, but I have never had one this tough.