Best tool for removing upper ball joint for reusing?

[javakmcharger68]

I put new ball joints on my 1968 charger last year & at the time I had no disc spindles so I had to use my old drum spindles to move the car. Now I need to put the new disc spindles on the car but do not want to smash the ball joint all to hell. I looked on ebay for a joint seperator, but do not know what one is right for me. Any way to get this problem worked out??? Thanks

[Ghoste]

For the upper one shouldn't you be using a ball joint socket?

[69fuchs]

If you hit the spindle where the ball joint goes through it with a hammer, it will come apart very easily.  It may take a few good blows, but the spindle will fall right off of the ball joint.

[Ghoste]

Wouldn't it still be better to find the proper (although admittedly expensive to buy outright) socket and use that to remove the old one and install the new one?

[javakmcharger68]

If they come out by hitting them then great, but if not, I have no idea what is used to take them out without damage. When I say there are new I mean I put in a polygraphite P_S_T kit 2 years ago, & it never had a drive train in since. Getting pissed about never driving the car & the bill that comes with putting these cars back on the road so I am trying to save them if I can. Thanks for the replies

[69fuchs]

If you are trying to get the ball joint out of the upper control arm, it is threaded and will need a special tool (square socket) to get it out properly.

If you are just changing the spindles, and you have the torsion bars loose, just take the nut off the ball joint, and strike the spindle with a hammer where the  ball joint goes through.  DO NOT strike the joint (threaded area) itself. 

If you use a pickle fork, you will destroy the boot.  If you purchase a ball joint press with the correct adaptors, that will work as well. 

The spindles are being replaced, right?  You will not damage the spindles by giving them a whack.  It may leave a mark, but they will still be good swap meet material. 

The ball joints do not have to be removed from the upper control arms to change the spindles.

[COKE]

I use the pitman arm puller and a big whaser.
I cut  a portion of the whaser for fit them around the ball joint stud.So i got enough suface to attach the puller.
So i have a tool for two purpouses and it works fine.

[Duey]

If hitting the spindle isn't working (which it should, especially with the ball joints new last year) you could try putting the nut on the joint thread so that it is still lightly proud of the end of the ball joint and tap with a hammer...that way, the nut will take the force and spread it against the all the threads, vice crushing the threads by hitting directly with a hammer...

Cheers
Duey

[Mopar2Ya]

http://www.americanmuscle.biz/
Some of the bolts/nuts american muscle use aren't hard enough, but you can go to the hardware store & get hardened/grade 8 pieces if there is a problem.

[squeakfinder]

For what its worth, I would do what duey said to get your spindle off. The spindle has to be removed before the ball joint can be pulled out.

Here's a picture of the socket. This one a New Britten brand part# is NH460. It's 3/4 inch drive.

[bull]

I use two hammers when I do mine and it works great. First loosen the castle nut (you don't have to remove it completely but enough to tell when the spindle has dropped out) and hold a hammer against the opposite surface with your left hand (assuming you're right-handed) then aim for the star on my picture below with the second hammer in your right hand and smack away. It should pop out after two or three good smacks. You don't have to wail on it by any means but show it you mean business.