i can't get the Lower Control Arm loose from the lower ball joint.

Any good tips? I've been swinging a hammer on that thing so much I can't hardly swing anymore.

I might just have to catch a ride to work tomorrow and pick up a BJ removal tool. The one w/ the 2 hooks and the big threaded bolt through the center.

I've tried jacking from the LCA, the Balljoint stud itself, the hub. I've hammered on everything I could find to hammer on down there too.

I have a balljoint splitter / pickle fork tool and that just isn't doing the trick. I think it's not quite big enough, by a small margin.

Any tips appreciated <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Go ahead and get a puller. It is so worth it. Makes it much easier and you can use it on the tie rods too if you need to.

This will also work on ball joints. It is how I took mine loose when I put the lift on many, many years ago.

Did you take the lower shock mount loose? Do that, then stomp on the a-arm, and the spindle assembly should pop out of position for you to get at it. Works on the '86 enyhoo. I just turn the spindle assy upside down on a pair of 2x4 blocks and pop the BJ out with the hammer.

I also lube the needle/brass bushing inside the spindle while I have it out.

I presume the TRE has been taken loose already.

pb blaster is your friend. i just replaced mine a month or two ago using a pickle fork and a bfh. i really had to get angry at the thing to get it off, but i didnt let the pb soak for long. just try not to punch holes in your dust shield w/ the pickle fork during your rage like i did hahah.

alternating the position of the pickle fork to either side of the ball joint and hitting should help too. also try disconnecting your lower shock mount like kewlynx said and hitting downwards on the control arm itself if you didn't do so already.

what spindle assy. are you referring to, and how do you turn it upside down while its connected to the truck?

oh, and why would he have to take off the tie rod, i didnt have too?

Sorry; steering knuckle:

Suspension components

You don't; I removed it. I did a full changeout on my BJ's, and figured I'd repack everything while I had it torn down.

I pop the outer tie rod loose, so I can pivot the whole thing for access.

PB Blaster---yeah baby! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
I also put a light coat of antiseize on the mating surfaces after I clean things up to go back together.

thanks for the replies, guys.

I hammered and hammered so much on that thing last night that I couldn't barely pick my arm up anymore and my aim had dwindled drastically; there was no point in doing it anymore, really.

I think I'm going to end up renting a bj puller from Napa and try that out. I didn't undo the tie-rod ends at all, and I didn't try undoing the bottom shock mount but that's a good idea.

I did try the 2-hammer trick because I remembered ppl mentioning it with the TRE's.
I know these things are tough but cripes! It's REALLY in there. I tried heat as well.

...see how it goes w/ the BJ puller I guess. I just hate having to hitch a ride because i "failed" at repairing something I know should be fairly easy to do. Frustrating.

I bent my pickle fork out to look like a V and mushroomed the end. Used heat,BFH, and enough beating to have my neighbors think I'm a blacksmith.

I got a ride to advance auto and got the loaner kit from them. They charge you for it, then tell you you can use it and it's ok if something breaks, and you have 3 months to return it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

It took about 45 seconds using the right tool. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

I use heat on the a-arm around the ball joint, then I cooled the balljoint itself with ice, then I hit it with the air hammer. Works ever time for me.