I'm planning my lift spindle install, and from searching and looking at the front spindles, it appears that getting a puller on the upper ball joint is a no go. I have read that the best tactic is to use the BFH approach. Now I understand that there is a bit of technique required along with the brute force. Does anyone here know the right place to whack the spindle, and/or any other techniques to persuade the ball joints to let go of the spindle? If anyone had a pic showing where to hit, that would be cool too. Also, what are the chances of damaging the spindle with the aforementioned BFH?

Thanks

 

Here's a pic if someone wants to draw an arrow or circle where to whack. Thanks.

 

you can use a Ball Joint Separator...that is a BFH and a Fork...it works great...except when you cant find the BFH and have to use a sledge next to your new 3k$ paint job, that you spent months prepping the car for

 

What are the odds of tearing up my grease boots with the pickle fork approach?

 

it will tear

 

That was the impression that I got from the searches that I did.

 

I've never removed the ball joints or tierod ends from a new body style, but I have removed a ton at work. You allwas want to hit it at the boss, I find it easier some tomes to use two hammers, one resting on the boss and one to hit with, Allwas wear safty glasses!

 

Thanks Wilde!

 

What's wrong with an air chisel? That's what I used on my 2000 Silverado's upper and lower balljoints. I didn't tear the boot either. It all ***** down to the chisel bit used and a nut placed on the end of the balljoint's threads that will need to be replaced with a new one (most of the time).
Good Luck!

Jim

 

Try a BFH as mentioned first, and if it's really siezed, a carefully placed pickle fork will do the trick. I have a pickle fork attachment for my air chisel that works great. As far as hitting one hammer against another, I'd highly recommend against that. I used to use a similar method (with 2 hammers) to hammer hubs out of wheel bearings on Toyota's (the one hammer fit the hub perfectly). Well, I learned a long time ago that hitting two metals together of the same tensile will cause one to chip or shatter, but still used the 2 hammer method anyway. Long story short, one day I whacked the hammer, and one of them chipped about the size of a pea and shot into my left forearm like a slug from a .22. I needed surgery to have the chip removed, and ended up with a nice scar that is now hidden by a cool skull pirate tattoo. The doc said I was extrememly lucky the way the metal went in....it went deep and far, but didn't hit any nerves and didn't permanently damage any muscle.

Oh yea, and I totally agree with the safety goggles...I never used to use them either until the shot in the arm...but I learned a big lesson that day.