I'm attempting to replace front suspension on 65 Mustang and haven't been able to separate LCA from spindle. Shock, spring, UCA all removed. Tie rod separated. Spindle assembly seems to need to be supported. Do y'all have any tips/tricks to finish the LCA separation? Any help is appreciated!
Trouble separating LCA from Spindle
toy2ski
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I'm attempting to replace front suspension on 65 Mustang and haven't been able to separate LCA from spindle. Shock, spring, UCA all removed. Tie rod separated. Spindle assembly seems to need to be supported. Do y'all have any tips/tricks to finish the LCA separation? Any help is appreciated!
Did you try renting a ball joint press from the auto parts store (i.e. Autozone)?
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125 Posts
I tried pickle fork and BFH. Didn't seem to move (shrug). Then I was worried I was damaging spindle.
I have not rented a ball joint press. Yet. Wasn't sure if that would work. Is there a specific one that works? I can get one from Advance Auto.
I would have removed LCA, but I snapped my socket trying to remove the support bar(?). Will buy new socket(s) in morning.
I have not rented a ball joint press. Yet. Wasn't sure if that would work. Is there a specific one that works? I can get one from Advance Auto.
I would have removed LCA, but I snapped my socket trying to remove the support bar(?). Will buy new socket(s) in morning.
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2,498 Posts
Another tool option 3/4 in. Ball Joint Separator
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The press at Advance is the same design as other presses. I use them on other cars. The fork opening separator works well. I’ve cracked or bent a couple of cast tools from HF. Try the one from Autozone. Use a pickle fork only if you don’t want to use the ball joint again. In those cases I use an air hammer pickle fork attachment. It’s too late for you now but to remove the spindle leave the arm and spindle assembly attached to the car and give it a couple of good whacks on the side of the spindle where the ball joint hole is (not on the joint). It should pop right out in a couple of whacks with an engineer’s hammer.
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I have one of these...its awesome, it separates them without destroying the boot like pickle forks tend to do(cant remember where I got it offhand)
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If all else fails, grab a piece of threaded rod, a thick washer and a nut. Run the rod down through the upper ball joint hole, slide on the washer, run the nut up the rod until you have the rod placed on top of the lower ball joint stud and tighten the nut. You may need a pipe nipple or large deep socket to keep them aligned.
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9,790 Posts
I have separated literally hundreds of spindles from upper / lower / tie rods.
The trusty sledge hammer has never failed me and never damaged a spindle.
The trusty sledge hammer has never failed me and never damaged a spindle.
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7,161 Posts
If you need to smack the spindle, smack the edge of it where the ball joint stud goes through, don’t actually smack the stud itself. Generally a few hard whacks on the spindle, especially if you have a ball joint separator on it, will pop it right out. I’ve had them so tight before where it was going to strip the threads out on the separator. This is where some snacks come in handy.
Like some beer nuts? 😆
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4,271 Posts
I use a DIY tool like this from Dazecars….scroll down for pics….should be less than 10 bucks to make and have forever.
www.fordmuscleforums.com
Non-Damaging Ball Joint Removal Tool
Separating ball joints from the spindle can be a challenging task, especially when the two parts have been together for a long time or when you do not want to damage the ball joint. For many years, the standard for separating the ball joints from a spindle has been the pickle fork and/or a...
www.fordmuscleforums.com
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18,349 Posts
Put some tension on top of that stud and let is soak with some PB Blaster etc WHILE giving it a couple good whacks on the side of the spindle at the stud hole. If you're not re-using the LCA or the lower ball joint, support the spindle well and knock the hell out of the stud straight down, OR you can wedge the LCA and stud so it can't go up, and use a jack to press the spindle upward. I have even used opposing jacks to apply tension in two different directions.
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5,791 Posts
5lb mini sledge (BFH) and a pickle fork is all i have ever used (when ball joint being replaced)
use some Kroil or PB blaster if it's stuck
use some Kroil or PB blaster if it's stuck
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