Upper Ball Joint removal

[Thomas C Potter]

I have not started my shock replacment yet, but does the upper ball joint come out off spindle easily?? Is there a trick to use??

[fordmike65]

There is a hex shaped hole in the stud you can use to hold the jount from spinning while you loosen the nut with a wrench. It's a 6mm I believe(might be wrong though)

[MarauderMax]

They are replaced with the upper control arm assembly

[Thomas C Potter]

but does the tapered shaft of the ball joint come out of the spindle easily?? Or is this a snug fit using a stright shaft???

[burt ragio]

May be better off just purchase whole new upper contol arm. The new ill come with bushings & ball joint.

[fordmike65]

but does the tapered shaft of the ball joint come out of the spindle easily?? Or is this a snug fit using a stright shaft???

It's not a press fit. As soon as the nut is loosened up, the balljoint stud will spin. Need to keep it from spinning so that nut can be removed. I suggest using a new nut. I believe the OE replacement come with new hardware.

[Thomas C Potter]

perfect Mike, thnx

[fastblackmerc]

May be better off just purchase whole new upper contol arm. The new ill come with bushings & ball joint.

That's the way I'd do it. If not you'll have to do the entire job again to replace the bushings when they go out.

I had friends that used to do stuff like that.... replace one fan belt, then a couple of weeks later have to replace them all when another let loose... or replace the upper radiator hose and antifreeze, then a month later have to replace the lower radiator hose and antifreeze......

[fordmike65]

Just about to install a set of uppers/lowers on a Highway Patrol unit

http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx183/fordmike65/IMAG1330_zps5d5479c4.jpg (http://s754.photobucket.com/user/fordmike65/media/IMAG1330_zps5d5479c4.jpg.html)
http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx183/fordmike65/IMAG1329_zps49294cb6.jpg (http://s754.photobucket.com/user/fordmike65/media/IMAG1329_zps49294cb6.jpg.html)

[Krytin]

I think he just wants to break the joint free from the spindle to replace the shock - the tapered shaft comes out of the spindle pretty easily .
You need the allen key to get the nut off/on though!

[shou]

I just did my struts and the ball joint separated from the spindle by themselves on both sides. No need for a splitter.

Those nuts were a pain though!