Seperating balljoint without damage?

[BaliLover]

I replaced the balljoints in my S13 a few months back, and now I need to replace my control arm bushings. I attempted to do the job today, but I couldn't get the balljoint to seperate from the spindle. I tried the sledgehammer on the control arm trick but that didn't work, and I can't get a shot at the top of the balljoint itself because the strut is in the way.

I'm afraid to use a pickle fork because every time I have in the past the boot on the balljoint has torn. Is there a good way to seperate the balljoint from the spindle with doing damage to the boot?

[LayNLow240]

I replaced the balljoints in my S13 a few months back, and now I need to replace my control arm bushings. I attempted to do the job today, but I couldn't get the balljoint to seperate from the spindle. I tried the sledgehammer on the control arm trick but that didn't work, and I can't get a shot at the top of the balljoint itself because the strut is in the way.

I'm afraid to use a pickle fork because every time I have in the past the boot on the balljoint has torn. Is there a good way to seperate the balljoint from the spindle with doing damage to the boot?

one of thoes should do the trick without tearing the boot.

[babowc]

^ what he said.never use hammers to get anything out..i ****ed up my tie rod ends by doing that.. :sigh:

[Zion8561]

Is that the tool from Nissan? If not where can you find a decent one for reasonable $$? I couldn't find that tool at the local shops, but I think they don't stock them because they want to sell you new ball joints everytime.

I borrowed one from a friend, but it was made of low grade metal and the fork broke before the ball joint seperated.

[Bosrudorfer]

try autozone, they have rent tool service. you put down $ for it and when u return it back they give u ur $ back. so its free tool rental

[Valley]

i used my pound-o-meter on an upside down castle nut, mine popped off easily after 2nd wack and i didn't even need to replace the castle nut. did you think around using a penitrating oil?

by the way, the tool you posted is a pitman arm puller, not a lower ball joint remover, if used improperly you stand a chance of poking a hole in the lower ball joint

[fullthrtl_tech]

shock the lower control arm where the balljoint is seated on both sides, then pry down with a pry bar or jack handle on the contol arm wherever u can get the most leverage. u might have to have somone give it a few love taps while prying, but it should pop right out