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.

 

On several different light duty Ford trucks, the upper ball joint is not replaceable. You get a complete upper control arm. May have to replace the whole unit.

 

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.

 

Keep whacking it with a hammer,it should come free.
Look > images/8492-12197-171624.jpg

 

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.

 

I didn't have to separate the ball joints when I did my kit.

 

You could also try heating the Steering knuckle. It should break free then.

 

I thought of heat also, probably melt the rubber.

 

Yup, dont get the heat source close to the rubber ball joint boot.

 

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

 

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...