Upper Ball Joint Help
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Upper Ball Joint Help
Hello all, I am trying to install a leveling kit and having some kind of trouble getting the upper control arm separated. I have tried a ball joint separator only to damage the grease boot and have been beating it with a hammer but to no avail. Here is what I have done. Raised the truck, taken the wheels off, jacked up the lower control arm a little and taken the nut off from the upper control arm. I am afraid I am going to damage something if I keep trying to beat the upper control arm to break it loose.
Is there some kind of retainer or pin I can't see or tell me please what the secret is. I have always been pretty mechanically inclined but I am stumped. Thanks in advance for your help.
Is there some kind of retainer or pin I can't see or tell me please what the secret is. I have always been pretty mechanically inclined but I am stumped. Thanks in advance for your help.
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I forgot to tell yall that my truck is an 2004 F150 4x4 and I am not trying to replace the ball joint, just separate it so I can raise the upper control arm to get it out of the way so I can remove the strut assembly.
Cargo Master
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From: ME
Post Fiend
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From: Lexington Mo
If you are still hitting it with a good heave hammer. Spray a penetrating oil at the ball joint and steering knuckle area. Hit the steering knucker itself, yes if you use a "pickle Fork" you will tear up the boot on the ball joint.
If you have the lower control arm on a jack. Take off some of the pressure. Place a jack on the crossmember under the engine. And let off on the pressure on the lower control arm. Too much pressure on the lower control arm, and you're just pushing up on something you need to fall down.
If you have the lower control arm on a jack. Take off some of the pressure. Place a jack on the crossmember under the engine. And let off on the pressure on the lower control arm. Too much pressure on the lower control arm, and you're just pushing up on something you need to fall down.
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Originally Posted by forcefed86
You could also try heating the Steering knuckle. It should break free then.
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Dont hit the control arm, whack the knuckle a couple of times in the place shown in the photo above. I whacked mine a couple of times with a 3# sledge and it popped right off. The knuckle is cast iron so it's pretty hefty.
Sounds like you were using a 'pickle fork' on your ball joint if you tore the boot? Better get that fixed before you button it up. Water and dirt will sneak in and kill the ball joint in short order
Sounds like you were using a 'pickle fork' on your ball joint if you tore the boot? Better get that fixed before you button it up. Water and dirt will sneak in and kill the ball joint in short order
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You guys are awesome...I finally got it loose and now I have finished both sides and the 2nd side was definitely quicker. Now all I need is some wheels to finish off the look...Thanks again everyone...
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