Ball Joints....FUG!!!

[abush1971]

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4853/dscn9571yb3.jpg
Shot with E3200 (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=E3200&make=NIKON)

I am trying to change the front springs and shocks on the Cutlass, and my last resort was to compress the spring and drop the lower A-arm. Well I get everything disconnected and get out my new super cool ball joint seperator...NOTHING. I wailed on the dam things all weekend and they wouldnt budge.

1. Does anyone have any suggestions? Its a regular GM setup, A-arms holding a spindle with ball joints, and the ball joint nuts move with the spindle like it is bound up.

2. If suggestions dont work does anyone know a good shop in the Independence area that works in classic cars?

Rant over.

[abush1971]

Anyone on a good cheap shop? I good an est. today for 3bills and I have all the parts:confused:

[Black Horse]

In this case...heat is your friend.......warm up the old ball joints and they should pop right out with a good solid blow.

[chris91]

Are you using the hammer in the pic? If so ditch that and use a BFH.

[abush1971]

Are you using the hammer in the pic? If so ditch that and use a BFH.

Yeah its a 20oz decking hammer, my next plan was to put a 2x4 on the nut and hit it with a 20lbs sledge.

[cstreu1026]

Ball joints suck! We wailed on AJ's for a long long time one night when we was swapping the K member in his Mach and never did get things apart.

[Jeff88coupe]

more BFH needed :)

[jfiscus]

If you don't have a torch, a welder will also heat things up very quickly.
I have had some pitman arms that just wouldn't come off w/o heat before.
Just make sure to only put a small bead on the part that is junk, don't weld it to anything else, lol.

[dedpedal]

BFH and a propane torch should help. Id replace the ball joints while its apart too.

[93bossgt]

Littleton's on 16 across from Kenton Elementary. Ask for Greg.

[abush1971]

Littleton's on 16 across from Kenton Elementary. Ask for Greg.
Will do. I ordered all new ball joints, but I fugged one of the nuts really good with the BFH, I am going to have to cut the end of the nut to get the bolt back on.

[Eastmont]

Got a pickle fork?