Topic: Lower ball joint stuck
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
I am in the process of removing my front under carriage and I can not seem to get the lower a-arm to drop from the spindle. Should I put heat to it ? I have bang the sh** out of it and it's not dropping. What am I to do?
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
What are you banging on? You should be able to hit on the spindle itself, and the ball-joint/spindle will separate. Soak it down with some penetrant, too.
Also, the lower control arm won't "drop", anyway. It is on top of the spindle...so...you need to have the upper joint separated first, so the spindle will drop. Make sure you have a good jack under the control arm before separating it from the spindle!
LINK
Also, the lower control arm won't "drop", anyway. It is on top of the spindle...so...you need to have the upper joint separated first, so the spindle will drop. Make sure you have a good jack under the control arm before separating it from the spindle!

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Apple I am hitting where your picture says to hit. I bought the Van Steel video for suspension removable and I have fellowed it to the tee. That lower ball joint will not drop. I did put PB on it mat be tomorrow I will have better luck. If that does not work I will go fine a pickle fork for my air hammer.

HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Make sure you have the right size pickle fork also - there is a smaller one for tie rod ends that will not slide all the way home on the shaft of the ball joint. Guess how I found that one out!! 

LukesVette Homepage
Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom
101st Airborne(AirAssault!)
God Bless America
Support Our Troops

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Perhaps ye needs a wee bit larger hammer?!
Paul is right aboot the picky forks, too...the wrong size(too small on da fork end) will just bottom on the ball joint before it actually touches the control arm/spindle surfaces. If the ball-joint itself is really worn out, and "floppy", it can be a lot tougher to get it to separate. If all else fails, there is a ball-joint separator tool that will work. IT is like a puller tool, and it slips in on top of the spindle area, and then it has a bolt that pilots on the ball joint threads. Tightening the bolt pushes the ball joint out of the spindle, similar to a 2-jaw puller, except this one fits around the spindle...they werk purdy good...
Click for link..and do a search for Pt. #PA149



Paul is right aboot the picky forks, too...the wrong size(too small on da fork end) will just bottom on the ball joint before it actually touches the control arm/spindle surfaces. If the ball-joint itself is really worn out, and "floppy", it can be a lot tougher to get it to separate. If all else fails, there is a ball-joint separator tool that will work. IT is like a puller tool, and it slips in on top of the spindle area, and then it has a bolt that pilots on the ball joint threads. Tightening the bolt pushes the ball joint out of the spindle, similar to a 2-jaw puller, except this one fits around the spindle...they werk purdy good...

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

COPPERAS COVE, TX - USA
Joined: 7/6/2002
Posts: 417
Vette(s): 1972 corvette stingray convertible
2007 coupe
Make sure you have your tongue in the right postion.
That always seems to help. I have learned one thing about working on a C3, NOTHING GOES AS PLANNED!!! Also brut strength and ignorence works well with me. Good Luck your doing everything right it just isn't ready to let loose yet.

OK that lower a-arm is not going to drop
. I went and bought the white man fork tong thing and the spindle will not drop. So on to plan B I took off the lower a-arm with the spindle attach and I will take it too the corvette shop and have them take that off and install the new one
. Next on too the driver side lets see if this goes well?


in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)