I'm trying to replace my LCA but I can't get the lower ball joint to disconnect from the hub. Any tips besides a BFH?

Thanks!

 

Do you have an air chisel? and large hammer? That is what I use... and you mean the steering knuckle that the ball joint is on?

 

Pickle Fork

 

whack the side of the knuckle where the ball joint runs through it while you're pressing down on the control arm. use a decent sized hammer- 1-2lb is good. not some dinky little 8oz POS. hitting it there will cause the metal to momentarily distort and the ball joint will pop loose after a few hits.

 

Remove the snap ring and hit it with a good-sized hammer like Matt just said.

 

DONOT use a pickle fork, you will destroy the rubber boot on the BJ. I like the hammer method and it has worked for many yrs consistently. Take the cotter pin off, remove the nut on top of the BJ, and then whack it on the steering knuckle meets the LBJ. It will pop out in no time..

 

Remove the cotter pin & nut,then the large hammer like 00 Max said.

 

Ok removing the cotter pin and nut go without saying. You will be pulling your hair out trying to remove it if you don't also remove the snap ring.

 

Good to see you still have the car Daily!

 

Yeah, I need a "dependable" daily driver because my Starion isn't hacking it! lol But the Maxima needs some TLC as well. The bushing in the LCA is shot, I need a new timing chain tensioner, tires, starter (lifetime warranty but I need to replace it), O2 sensor and clean out the EGR system. There's probably more but that's my list so far!

So, is there a snap ring on the ball joint or not? I have heard of one being there but only to hold it to the LCA, not the spindle/hub. You typically just bang the LCA and/or hub and it pops free.

I went and got a real hammer and a pickle fork (I'm replace the whole LCA that has a new ball joint in it so I don't care about the old ball joint). I'll try the hammer first so I can try to keep the old ball joint as a spare.

I thought that huge bolt holding the LCA to the body would be my problem spot but that way easy! lol

 

I thought you were trying to remove it from the LCA as well for replacement. The snap ring only applies when removing it from the LCA. That's what I get for not reading....

 

It's cool! Yeah, only trying to get it out of the hub to replace the LCA as a whole...

 

+1, Its definately not easy.....



Take one, like so, and nail it with a hammer from the handle of the fork.

 

oh yeah, like said previously, this will pretty much destroy the boot on the ball joint.

 

Good thing your keeping her but man thats a long repair list and sounds like its getting a bit longer.

Good luck with the repairs. Hope to see you around soon.