Home page
SPONSOR AD SPONSOR AD

Topic: Lower ball joint stuck

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/27/07 4:47pm Message 1 of 12
Former Member
Send PM
Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.
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)

Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/27/07 5:09pm Message 2 of 12
Former Member
Send PM
Edmond, OK - USA
Joined: 7/13/2006
Posts: 400
Vette(s): 1971 Brands Hatch Green L48 Coupe Automatic Driver - restored 1995
If you can find a pickle fork that attaches to an air hammer it will drop.  Otherwise just keep banging with the reg fork.


Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/27/07 5:56pm Message 3 of 12
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
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



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"

Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/27/07 9:33pm Message 4 of 12
Former Member
Send PM
Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.
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.


Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/28/07 5:37am Message 5 of 12
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
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!! Wacko


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

Support Our Troops


     

Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/28/07 8:32am Message 6 of 12
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
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


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"

Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/28/07 8:41am Message 7 of 12
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
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. Tongue 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.


Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/28/07 8:41am Message 8 of 12
Former Member
Send PM
Edmond, OK - USA
Joined: 7/13/2006
Posts: 400
Vette(s): 1971 Brands Hatch Green L48 Coupe Automatic Driver - restored 1995
Forgot about that one.  Had to user that on my mom's Lincoln.


Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/28/07 3:10pm Message 9 of 12
Former Member
Send PM
Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.
OK that lower a-arm is not going to dropCensored. 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 oneCensored. Next on too the driver side lets see if this goes well?


Lower ball joint stuck

Posted: 5/29/07 9:14am Message 10 of 12
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6842
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe
I got my fingers crossed for ya.Thumbs%20Up


 
Save the Wave!
Support the National Corvette Museum   

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)