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View Full Version : LCA wont come off spindle

flip3d
03-03-2009, 10:07 PM
I'm stuck. I tried forever with everything to get this damn control arm off the spindle. I used the pickle fork but it didn't do crap because boot was already torn to shit. I used a tie rod seperator which didnt really fit so no luck there. I even tried an electric impact gun with the hammer action. Still nothing. I used various different hammers (ie. tack hammer, dead blow hammer, rubber mallet, etc.)

I just don't know what to try next. Give me some ideas. I don't care about the LCAs because I'm replacing them with new ones.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/flip3d/PIC-0091.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/flip3d/PIC-0092.jpg
sidewayz240
03-03-2009, 10:14 PM
Bigger hammer. Hit the spindle around the BJ shank.
+ heat if you need to.
Dousan_PG
03-03-2009, 10:15 PM
yea
hammer works the best
bitches come off within a minute!
boostinS14
03-03-2009, 10:36 PM
im pretty sure they have a tool to remove stuff like this so u wont mess up the little rubber bushing.
flip3d
03-03-2009, 10:51 PM
im pretty sure they have a tool to remove stuff like this so u wont mess up the little rubber bushing.

the whole reason im replacing my flcas is because the rubber bushings are already messed up. :P
devnull
03-03-2009, 10:51 PM
Try a pitman arm puller

http://revbeergoggles.com/balljoint1/ball-joint-tool.jpg
Forge_55b
03-03-2009, 10:52 PM
easier to separate them if they were still connected to the car
Viet-Tam
03-03-2009, 10:54 PM
I had the same problem. Use a big ass hammer, and knock the shit out of it.
mmdb
03-03-2009, 11:43 PM
+1 for hammer. Thread a nut at the top of the pillow ball and hit it on the nut. It'll pop out asap.
VanduzerLancerES
03-03-2009, 11:50 PM
easier to separate them if they were still connected to the car


+1, thats how i did mine.
Xren17
03-04-2009, 01:32 AM
Support the LCA at each end high enough so that the spindle is hanging down. Find a safe spot on the spindle to hit the spindle/hub off. And yes it's easier to take the spindle off when everything is on the car. I've gone through it and that balljoint is a bitch to take off.

-Ren
NiSilS14
03-04-2009, 01:43 AM
If all else fails...Use a oxy torch or a plasma cutter.
Vision Garage
03-04-2009, 02:44 AM
like posted over and over. Put the nut back on it to prevent any damage to the spline and hammer that thing down. actually you can just hammer the damn bolt down since you cant reuse it anyway. But yea, hammer the bolt. Also use some pb blaster or WD40 to try and break up the rust. Pop off old ball joint and put in a new one!
s13dan
03-04-2009, 04:06 AM
BFH is all you need.
Koopa Troopa
03-04-2009, 06:26 AM
Ball joint puller....

Am I the only one on this forum who thought to use the actual fucking tool for the job?
Dousan_PG
03-04-2009, 08:26 AM
like posted over and over. Put the nut back on it to prevent any damage to the spline and hammer that thing down. actually you can just hammer the damn bolt down since you cant reuse it anyway. But yea, hammer the bolt. Also use some pb blaster or WD40 to try and break up the rust. Pop off old ball joint and put in a new one!



no no no no
dont hammer the nut
hammer the SPINDLE
aznpoopy
03-04-2009, 08:52 AM
yeah. old mechanic told me the same thing. for tie rod and balljoint, hammer the hell out of spindle/knuckle around the balljoint/tierod end. the vibrations somehow shake it loose. after that, one good pop from the top with a hammer should pop the tie rod or balljoint right out. way easier to do this with everything still on the car.
91silvia
03-04-2009, 08:58 AM
no no no no
dont hammer the nut
hammer the SPINDLE

exactly, if you hammer on the top of the nut too much you'll just wear yourself out and not get anywhere...may even mushroom the bolt enough that it'll be even harder to get through the hole in the spindle
S14 Wannabe
03-04-2009, 09:15 AM
Ball joint puller....

Am I the only one on this forum who thought to use the actual fucking tool for the job?

LOL looks like your're the only one that doesn't like hammering shit.

All I did was get a BFH and smashed the shit out of it until it popped out.
upSLIDEdown
03-04-2009, 09:21 AM
Yep. Easier on the car. For sure.

Hit the spindle here.

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/8026/spindle.jpg

Basically, it shocks the hole that the ball joint stud is coming up through enough to let ball joint fall out.
kandyflip445
03-04-2009, 10:27 AM
Yep. Easier on the car. For sure.

Hit the spindle here.

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/8026/spindle.jpg

Basically, it shocks the hole that the ball joint stud is coming up through enough to let ball joint fall out.

That's the way I did mine! Works wonders. Hit it HARD!
flip3d
03-04-2009, 07:49 PM
Ended up getting one of these. Fuckin lca shot out of the spindle so hard, it took a little bit out of my driveway :P

http://www.fine-tools.co.uk/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/ns-yc804.jpg
Slammed180
03-04-2009, 08:08 PM
Could've used a pickle fork and a hammer.
Worked for me in about 2 minutes.