Control Arm Replacement - Inner BJ Just Spins

[Sockethead]

A jack should put enough pressure on the tapered joint to do that....

[cornercarver]

As it turns out, the ball joint was not spinning; the nut was turning but it didn’t look like it was moving up the threads so I assumed the former.

Now I have a bigger problem; the BJ’s appear to be frozen (rusted?) in place. No amount of striking the nut and/or pickle fork makes it pop. This applies to both the inner and outer BJ.

I’ve given up for tonight, but I left the pickle forks jammed in place with a few good whacks in hopes that constant pressure overnight might make them pop.

Suggestions?

[ELCID86]

Mine were a real bear to get out and I didn’t have much room to swing a sledge as it was on jack stands. Had to get my 20-something son to beat on it some... use Penetrating Blaster?

[slater]

As it turns out, the ball joint was not spinning; the nut was turning but it didn’t look like it was moving up the threads so I assumed the former.

Now I have a bigger problem; the BJ’s appear to be frozen (rusted?) in place. No amount of striking the nut and/or pickle fork makes it pop. This applies to both the inner and outer BJ.

I’ve given up for tonight, but I left the pickle forks jammed in place with a few good whacks in hopes that constant pressure overnight might make them pop.

Suggestions?

that's good news about the nut!

as for the joints not budging... here's what works for me:

1. harbor freight ball joint tool. this works the outer one, but won't fit on the inner one. if you don't have this (which i'm guessing you don't ), proceed....
2. place pickle fork in tension on the outer joint. loosen the nut (i use my impact gun for these), but do not remove; leave it just barely threaded on. with a 5lb sledge, strike the side of the knuckle where the ball joint shaft goes through (so you're hitting the cast iron). about 10 good solid whacks usually does it; the ball joint will literally 'pop' out. remove the nut.
3. for the inner joint...place pickle fork in tension, and strike the side of the control arm, just outside the ball joint. don't hit the subframe because it will bend. you can alternate with hitting the control arm and the end of the pickle fork; this should do it.

[cornercarver]

Thanks for the tips! Gonna’ give it another go tomorrow. I don’t have a BFH so I’ll probably make a Home Depot run to grab a 5lb sledge.

[cornercarver]

I ended up using a combination of pickle fork, BFH and torch to heat the spindle where the outer BJ connects. Inner BJ was easier; just a pickle fork and a few whacks of the CA near the BJ made it pop. So glad this is done. Front end is much more taut with the poly fcab’s too. Now the rear end feels comparatively sloppy. Oh well... It’s an improvement anyway.

[danewilson77]

I ended up using a combination of pickle fork, BFH and torch to heat the spindle where the outer BJ connects. Inner BJ was easier; just a pickle fork and a few whacks of the CA near the BJ made it pop. So glad this is done. Front end is much more taut with the poly fcab’s too. Now the rear end feels comparatively sloppy. Oh well... It’s an improvement anyway.

Good work homey

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