Question on 69 upper control arm ball joint removal

[helix223]

Hey all, I'm trying to rebuild my front end on my 69 charger but being new to this I've run into troubles! I'm trying to remove the ball joint on the upper control arms but cant get them to budge. I understand they are threaded but I can't get them to move.  Any suggestions on how to remove them or somewhere that has them in stock so I can just buy a new pair?

Thanks,
Chris

[Cooter]

Got the Special Socket? If so, will also need alot of elbow grease if doing by hand as they are tight all the way out...Best to hit 'em with an impact gun/wrench...(Air)

[y3chargerrt]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/American-Muscle-Mopar-Upper-Ball-Joint-Socket-23457-/390014604593?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item5aceae9531

It is easier if the ball joint is still bolted in.

[helix223]

Well that figures, I seem to spend more on tools than parts!  This one is canted. Do you think the threads might be ok still. Worried that I might be better off just trying to find a new upper arm if I can find one in stock.

Thanks for you help,
Chris

[y3chargerrt]

Take it to a machine shop. I bet they can get the ball joint and bushing out for a reasonable cost.

[HPP]

x2 on the machine shop suggestion.

[John_Kunkel]

Some auto supplies rent the ball joint socket.

[charger Downunder]

Don't even attempt removing it with out the correct socket. They are in tight you will need a long breaker bar on the socket.
On a side note my older brother was trying to remove one without the correct socket  on his valiant. I spotted his upper control arm in the shed sitting in the vise he had given up and i could see all the different tools he tried to remove it with. While he was gone i snuck out the socket and removed the old one and put in his new one without him knowing and went home. When he came back to the shed to work on it he couldn't believe his eyes what he saw.

[helix223]

Ha ha maybe if I leave it out someone will sneak in and take it off for me! I think I'll just call to see what a machine shop will do it for me rather than buying the socket. Thanks

[six-tee-nine]

I removed a pair of them for a buddy last year with a ajustable wrench (no clue what its called exactly in english) and a long bar onto that wrench. I did however slightly heat up the uca's around the ball joint area. Then right after that I wacked on the ball joints with a hammer a few times to kinda wake them up a bit then immediatly the wrench on them and pull hard.
Make sure you went to the toilet first (no nothing shady happenend to me while pulling the wrench.....)