Could anyone give me some advice regarding the removal of the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle? I tried using a pickling fork, but it doesn't seem to work. Thanks.

 

Get a bigger hammer. The pickle fork will work. If you want to cheat get a fork that goes into an air chisle.

 

Make sure you have the right sized pickle fork, years ago I got one that was too wide or too narrow and it wouldn't fit. Also make sure your going perpendictular to the drum/disc so your not bottoming out the fork tooth on something. I agree with Richard, sometimes they're really subborn and need some serious wacking!

 

Place a bar 4 foot or longer under the control arm so that upward pressure can be applied, leave the ball join nut on a couple of turns so when it comes loose it does not fly upward, strike the steering knuckle with a big hammer on the side next to the ball joint shaft where it goes thru the knuckle, should come loose after several strikes, this way will not damage the rubber boot on the ball joint.

 

I'm sure that you have it under control but you do have the spring tension off , right? don't want anyone to get hurt. i use the fork in the air hammer. and also sometime use a pry bar with the air hammer.

 

I don't like pickle forks because of the possibility of damage; probable damage to the rubber boot. Remove the cotter pin, back off the nut 1 turn, jack under frame with spring tension on the joint. Hit the side of the knuckle on the boss forged into it, using a short handled 3 pound hammer.

 

Success! Thanks for the advice everyone. I just wasn't applying eneough force. The bigger hammer made the difference.

 

Pickle fork thingie BAD! Hammer GOOD!!

 

Every toolbox needs a BFH...

 

If you can't do it with a BFH get a BiggerFH.

I have a BFH, I call it Mjolnir and Odin gave it the power to smite all ball joints and evil.

Call me Thorvista.