Need Help!! Control arm removal

[BigNBlue]

I am trying to remove the control arm off of my donor car. Got the two pivot bolts out but where the ball connects to the spindle is giving me fits. I pulled the cotter pin and got the nut off easy enough but the bolt won't slide through the spindle. When I move the spindle back and forth the bolt tracks with it. Is it just seized up real good or am I doing something wrong? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[cobra0478]

Need balljoint tool,sometimes refered to as a pickle fork,should be avaliable at local parts house,when you see it you will know what to do with it,not an expensive tool good to have arround.
Don

[svono50]

Don's method is good, but could tear up the ball joint's dust boot. I also could never seem to get my pickle fork to work, probably user error.

Anyway, here is another method that has worked for me. You don't need the coil spring in for this to work, but it can help a bit. With the control arm supported by a jack, 1) Take the castle nut off the ball joint, 2) Turn it over and screw it back on so the top of the nut is just above the ball joint stud, 3) Give it a good strike with a BFH (Big F*** Hammer).

Generally 5 or less whacks will pop the ball joint stud loose. Just make sure you don't hit the nut at an angle and damage something. You should also soak the stud with some WD40. If that doesn't work then you may need to apply some heat to the spindle to help break things loose. Good luck.

[SVOeric]

Tap Gently,

I have used Ted's method, but It is possible it can damage the ball joint itself.

normally a couple of taps on the sides of the spindal, where it is pressed onto the nut, and a few gentle taps on the nut will make it jump right off...

There is also another tool that actually presses the ball joint out of the spindal. It goes under the spindal, and presses down on the shaft of the ball-joint as you screw the tool down. This is the best way to remove it. I have rented this tool from auto-zone (which is FREE!!)