Any trick to removing a lower ball joint from a lower control arm?

[Bullitt-]

 

 Bullitt , I have never had to heat it , that is usually not recommended on suspension parts.

Maybe My pickle fork is inferior or I just don't know how to use it but I worked myself silly on the upper ball joint till  I used the heat method (on the threded part) + an expanding bolt tool as described in the Dodge service manual, On the lower that nor the fork worked so I got aggressive with the hammer using the bolt thingy as a interim to hit, took about 4 good swings 

[ShelbyDogg]

A very old mechanic showed me this trick years ago.  I never had to buy a pickle fork. Hold the first hammer firmly against the Tie rod, ball joint, pitman arm, then smash the other hammer into it. It changes it's shape and pops the joint apart.   Leave the nut on a few threads so the part doesn't fall on you.
It works everytime.  Don't use a sissy carpenter's hammer, usa a 2,3,4,or 5 lb baby sledge.
Rob

[heminut]

I've used Rob's method when I didn't have a pickle fork, it definately works!

[Street_Challenged73]

Maybe My pickle fork is inferior or I just don't know how to use it but I worked myself silly on the upper ball joint till  I used the heat method (on the threded part) + an expanding bolt tool as described in the Dodge service manual, On the lower that nor the fork worked so I got aggressive with the hammer using the bolt thingy as a interim to hit, took about 4 good swings 

I do assume you used the upper ball joint tool for that, right?  I sprayed mine with PB Blaster then hooked that tool up to an impact wrench and had them off in no time flat.  The bottoms were extremely easy as well with the use of a $4 pickle fork from CarQuest.

[422STROKER]

Not to hijack but you can use shelbydogg's technique to open a pretty good size masterlock!  I saw a guy do it with a 4" lock popped right open.  Couldn't believe it till I seen it.  So much for security.  Anyways I bought the jaw type puller  and came right out 20bucks.

Tom

[tactransman]

A very old mechanic showed me this trick years ago.  I never had to buy a pickle fork. Hold the first hammer firmly against the Tie rod, ball joint, pitman arm, then smash the other hammer into it. It changes it's shape and pops the joint apart.   Leave the nut on a few threads so the part doesn't fall on you.
It works everytime.  Don't use a sissy carpenter's hammer, 2,3,4,5 lb baby sledge.
Rob

Rob, I love your picture!!!!

[ShelbyDogg]

Thanks Terry,
I'm just bored at work.

I like this one better.

Rob

[4Cruizn]

Thats attractive!   

[ShelbyDogg]

Isn't it?

Here is the whole pic, in case somebody want's to do the same to their face.  I'm sure somebody here finds it attractive, and 4cruzin was him.  YIKES.   Let's move it to the BABE thread.

Rob

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Some parent must be proud. 

[Grec]

Ugh.

What a frrreak! Gotta be from Berkeley. :-)

Well, I got a pickle fork and my 3lb "mini-Thor" hammer. I'll give that a shot 1st. If it doesn't work out for some reason, I'll go by another hammer!

Cheers.

[tactransman]

Ugh.

What a frrreak! Gotta be from Berkeley. :-)

Well, I got a pickle fork and my 3lb "mini-Thor" hammer. I'll give that a shot 1st. If it doesn't work out for some reason, I'll go by another hammer!

Cheers.

[Bullitt-]

GREC,  HOLD IT, YOU FER GOT THE 20LB BAG OF CUSS WORDS!

[Bullitt-]

Bullit,
Did you just call him a FOGOT?  

Not that there is anything wrong with that.   (Seinfeld)

 OOPS 

[Grec]

Nope, I didn't fogot. The 20lb bag of cuss words goes without saying.