I have been working on replacing the driver's side drive axle and CV joint. However I cannot get the lower ball joint to release from the lower arm bar. I have soaked it in lubricant with rust and thread loosen-er, but no luck yet. I have disassembled the rotor, caliper, top ball joint, steering . . . and tried with and without the wishbone being connected. I have slammed a 3lb hammer on it over and over on both sides of where the ball joint sits on the lower arm bar. I don't have a torch to heat it up. How do i get the ball joint free from the lower arm bar? Please help!
Thanks,
Bill

 

It's probably stuck in the sleeve that is in the arm lol if you try to press it out it's probably going to come out with the sleeve attached to the LBJ.

Check the last few pages in this thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...707888&page=28

 

Worst case scenario, just undo the stabilizer link, and then remove the lower control arm from the subframe.

 

it needs to be pried off, hammering on it without any separating force isnt going to help.

just make sure you dont take the sleeve out with it.

 

Pitman Arm Puller

 

i tried this tool before and it sucked.

I ended up buying one of these and it works like a charm. didnt pay that price though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OTC-Ball-Joint-Separator-Tool-/191104433813?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c7eb63e95

 

I've used it on half a dozen lbj's and every one of them popped without an issue and without damaging the boot.

 

^ That's actually a pitman arm puller, but can most certainly be adapted as desired.

 

you'd back hand slap me if i showed you pictures of the ball joints when I used that tool.

maybe i just dont have the finesse that most do