'71 Charger lower ball joints

[71ChargerMike]

I'm a medium skilled mechanic and I've popped off ball joints in several vehicles but never on a vehicle this old. Is there any other tricks or do I just continue on with the beatings of the lower ball joint??

[Pete in NH]

Hi Mike,

The lower ball joint is built into part of the steering control arm and can not be removed separately. You need to replace the whole assembly. You need to remove the tie rod end from the steering arm and then pop the ball joint stud from the lower control arm using a puller or pickle fork. Two bolts hold the ball joint/steering control arm assembly to the brake assembly.

The upper ball joints are threaded into the upper control arm.

You really need the factory service manual when doing this kind of work. Old Mopar torsion bar front ends are very different from anything built today or GM or Ford back then.

[71ChargerMike]

So the 2 larger bolts that connect to the ball joint have to come off before the ball joint will budge?

[Kern Dog]

So the 2 larger bolts that connect to the ball joint have to come off before the ball joint will budge?

Yes. Also, the disc brake rotor or the drum needs to be removed to gain access to the head of the bolts.

[71ChargerMike]

So the 2 larger bolts that connect to the ball joint have to come off before the ball joint will budge?

Yes. Also, the disc brake rotor or the drum needs to be removed to gain access to the head of the bolts.

I have the drums off already. Cool to know that my issue is that simple. 2 bolts with a little more pickle fork action after the bolts are removed. I'll get back on it either tomorrow or Saturday.

Thanks for the help guys.

[gcdsn76]

What I found that worked for me was using a large Pitman arm puller and a "C" clamp. I clamped the puller on the sides of the steering knuckle and tightened it up. I used the C-clamp to on the sides of the puller to keep the jaws together and then tightened up the whole mess. When I couldn't get it any tighter, I applied a propane torch and it came apart with a very satisfying bang. It wasn't pretty, but it worked.

[71ChargerMike]

Once I removed the spindle from the ball joints it took 3 good hard hits to the ball joint stud and out it came on both sides. Thanks to everyone for that info, I probably would still be stuck trying to figure that out.