I have done this a few times but not for a long time.

Should I remove the upper ball joint first and then the lower? or remove the lower then the upper?

Which way will the spring help the most?

Do you use a pickle fork or do you just tap on the knuckle with a hammer to get the ball joints to release?

Thanks

 

Ha ha ha ha ha! I just went through that living hell! Still have to put my suspension and steering back together. You can go to either of these threads and find the info you want. One is Robs and is part of a resto on his car the other is mine which started off as a brake job and evolved to a front suspension/steering rebuild. Both have lots of pics (mine has more though):
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...t-end-job.html

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ing-plate.html

 

How i do it i put a floor jack under where the front spring sits and then i remove the upper ball joint. I dont like using the fork because they can rip the grease boot apart unless you're replacing the ball joint. I just get a heavy ball peen hammer and just give a couple of hard good shots to the knuckle where the ball joint connects and the ball joint will pop up. I'll chock a 2x4 between the frame and the upper control arm so it can stay up. And then i'll do the same thing to the lower ball joint by giving a couple of hard shots to the knuckle where the lower ball joint connects and it will pop off. Then you can take the whole spindle right off.

 

Pickle fork thingie BAD! Hammer GOOD!

And no, love pats will NOT do it. A butt-whoopin' it needs!
And use the spring tention to your advantage. Details in my front end job thread...

 

^^^ Where have I heard that before ? Ugh, fire good, cold beer better. WHAP, WHAP, WHAP, POP!