SF-66TC
Well-Known Member
Go to AutoZone and rent this Ball Joint Separator Tool from them - it's FREE! Just pay for it and get refunded when you return it. Ball Joint breaks loose in a snap and will NOT ruin the rubber bootie!!
Fuselage - Drums to Disc Brake Conversion
- Thread starter 70_NPORT
- Start date
Go to AutoZone and rent this Ball Joint Separator Tool from them - it's FREE! Just pay for it and get refunded when you return it. Ball Joint breaks loose in a snap and will NOT ruin the rubber bootie!!
70_NPORT
Well-Known Member
oK, sounds great. I'll call them. I don't know why its not coming loose on its own....really hit it hard a bunch of times with the sledge hammer. That didn't do squat.Go to AutoZone and rent this Ball Joint Separator Tool from them - it's FREE! Just pay for it and get refunded when you return it. Ball Joint breaks loose in a snap and will NOT ruin the rubber bootie!!
Samplingman
Old Man with a Hat
When you get the separator tool for the upper ball, be careful to get the fingers between the boot and the spindle flange so you don't rip the boot. Tighten the clamp a couple of good turns, then tap the the ball with the hammer, should snap right out. Keep tightening and taping until you have success. If you rip the boot, dorman makes a decent replacement, it's hanging right there at the autozone. No need to stress over this, once you do one side the other will be easy.
SF-66TC
Well-Known Member
The BJ shank and Spindle hole are tapered, it's been torqued down @ 100 ft/lbs and it's been like that for maybe 46 years if it's never been changed. You'd be pretty tight too LOL!
70_NPORT
Well-Known Member
The youtube videos makes it look like its a breeze though. Tap, Tap, its down and out. N O T!The BJ shank and Spindle hole are tapered, it's been torqued down @ 100 ft/lbs and it's been like that for maybe 46 years if it's never been changed. You'd be pretty tight too LOL!
SF-66TC
Well-Known Member
Samplingman is right - don't stress over this. Once you do the first side you'll think, "ahhh that was easy" The separator tool is smooth where it slides over the boot so it won't tear and I've used this on many. You will need to hammer it in between the boot and spindle collar, but no biggie. Can't change the rotation of the photo so install it upside down from how it is pictured.
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
In fifty years, I have never been able too remove a suspension or steering taper fit with a "tap-tap". Ever. 
SF-66TC
Well-Known Member
In fifty years, I have never been able too remove a suspension or steering taper fit with a "tap-tap". Ever.
70_NPORT
Well-Known Member
well I went to autozone. The dorks there had no idea wut that tool is...I even took the pic in with me and showed it to the counter person cause its been my experience that they are clueless most of the time. They really wanted to sell me a pickle fork though for 25 bucks. No matter. Im tired.. done for the day..trudge on tomorrow. Thanks for all the help today.Go to AutoZone and rent this Ball Joint Separator Tool from them - it's FREE! Just pay for it and get refunded when you return it. Ball Joint breaks loose in a snap and will NOT ruin the rubber bootie!!
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
I was going to say that would happen but I was praying for you that an AZ in Jersey would be better than a Fumbuck County AZ.
Looks like it wasn't..
In last 30 years, i have never ever could separate anything with that hammer it free trick. Even used a 5kg sledgehammer.
Cheap separators usually bend, slips sideways, strip threads etc.. cheap pickle forks goes from U to Y... :/
Get good tools, dont be cheap or you will be sorry.
Cheap separators usually bend, slips sideways, strip threads etc.. cheap pickle forks goes from U to Y... :/
Get good tools, dont be cheap or you will be sorry.
To remove the Spindle from the upper Ball joint, I just left the nut on the ball joint on a few threads and hit the Spindle with a Rubber Mallet. It came off and i didnt destroy the Boot on the Ball joint. I dont know if its a Smart way but its done, thats all that matters.
traintech55
Senior Member
If you got that lucky to remove the upper ball joint with a rubber mallet, you had better go to church tomorrow.
70_NPORT
Well-Known Member
Is wut it is....Ill have to figure it out someway
lol I took my upper control arms to a Garage to remove the Upper ball joints. They needed a 3/4 impact and even that thing struggled a bit. I snapped a ratchet in half trying to get those basterds out.
70_NPORT
Well-Known Member
Wonder If I were to heat that end up with a torch....maybe it would expand a bit and then release.?
Samplingman
Old Man with a Hat
Yes, right after the boot and the grease inside burst into flames. Please, no torches. Ever.
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
Loosen upper bj nut by a couple of turns and with suspension pulling down hit spindle with bfh up near upper bj taper and then move jack stand back to LCA and remove bolts and upper bj nut then pull spindle.
traintech55
Senior Member
Alright, about now you are frustrated and ready to pull your hair out and tell us all to F.O.
But, PLEASE listen to what I say so you DO NOT get hurt. Reinstall the lower two ball joint to spindle bolts, you do not have to tighten them, just make sure they are on at least five turns. Then you can jack the car up off the jack stands about 1 inch clearance. Then loosen the upper ball joint nut, THEN STRIKE IT WITH THE B.F.H.
The force of the torsion bars will help dislodge the spindle. Then lower the car onto the jack stands and remove the spindle.
But, PLEASE listen to what I say so you DO NOT get hurt. Reinstall the lower two ball joint to spindle bolts, you do not have to tighten them, just make sure they are on at least five turns. Then you can jack the car up off the jack stands about 1 inch clearance. Then loosen the upper ball joint nut, THEN STRIKE IT WITH THE B.F.H.
The force of the torsion bars will help dislodge the spindle. Then lower the car onto the jack stands and remove the spindle.
rags
Senior Member
you're right on the money.
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