Can't Get Control Arm Off

[Mr. Tasty]

and whats the easiest way to get to that nut?

[Mr. Tasty]

hey what size socket is needed for the ball joint closest to the middle of the car. The one on the subframe?

[bimmerboy8912]

22mm Pickle fork for removing the control arm from the subframe.
Hammer the fork in place, hammer the fork down, and bingo. Easy. Use a decent amount of PB Blaster too.

[5Toes]

Will rent a picklefork from autozone, or a buddy, then

[klynsma76]

They bend, taking all of the shock out of it.

Pickle fork and a 3lb maul. Works every damn time.

This definitely, does it for me every time.

[TurboJake]

Yeah I have new arms on the way... so I dont mind destroying them

Its hard to hammer them form the top, not much room.

I was thinkign Id thread the nut on a little then hammer on the extension

They bend, taking all of the shock out of it.

Pickle fork and a 3lb maul. Works every damn time.

[5Toes]

Yeah I have new arms on the way... so I dont mind destroying them

Its hard to hammer them form the top, not much room.

I was thinkign Id thread the nut on a little then hammer on the extension

[KenC]

This is the damaged one you're trying to get off, right? Just use a pickle fork. It'll destroy the boot, but whatever.

[Ceeker]

the nut on the sub frame for the inner ball joint should come off if you nail with an air gun. the trick is to get it the first time to prevent it from spinning. throw the jack under the joint so that it lessens the chance of the shaft from spinning with the nut. if you get that far then take an air hammer and be easy on it. you can knock the shaft through with that. I've seen my bmw tech buddies do it this way. If you can't you might want use the pickle fork but you'll most likely trash the boot on the joint and will need replacing then. the last thing, remove the sub frame; at least you'll have a chance to clean it, have a clean working area to remove the control arms. I've done it all 3 ways.

[5Toes]

Thats what I figured. It is raining so ahrd right now, hope the weather clears up so I can get it done tomorrow

[KenC]

Im talking about the bolt on the subframe. The other ball joint came off easy!

Hammer the top of it. Wood will cushion it too much. It needs the shock to break it free.

[toointoxicated60]

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html

+1 if your trying to save the ball joint. If not pickle fork and a big hammer.

[5Toes]

Im talking about the bolt on the subframe. The other ball joint came off easy!

[KenC]

Yeah mine wont come off either. I have put a fat wooden dowel on it and hammered away. Lots of liquid wrench on it too. Aint budging

Ball joint separator. They're cheap at harbor freight.

[5Toes]

Yeah mine wont come off either. I have put a fat wooden dowel on it and hammered away. Lots of liquid wrench on it too. Aint budging