Lower Ball Joints

[ScorchedEarthErotica]

I am taking off my front end (2wd) to repaint the spindles, drop bracket, and UCA's because a couple of years ago I ran through some salty ice on the freeway and they are rusting in some spots.

While taking off my spindles I noticed that my lower ball joint on the driver's side is bad, so I ordered some new ones for both sides. I removed the clip on top and have been beatin the snot outta the bad one, since it will be replaced anyway, but can't budge it outta the LCA at all.

Do I need to keep at it with bigger hammers, or do I need to replace the entire LCA because they are machine-pressed in there?

Also, I used a pitman arm pulley and the ball joint still wont budge.

[speed demon]

What kind of vehicle? assuming 2nd gen, best bet would be to use a balljoint press. Most parts stores will loan/rent the out.

[crewmaxxis]

I replaced both of mine recently,

I left the LCA mounted on the truck, used an oversized deep socket (larger than the body of the balljoint) on the bottom used a large sledge hammer on it until it came loose, it helps if you have a flat chisel or drift pin on top of the balljoint for better accuracy,

[Zedbra]

and when all else fails, the torch is your friend. Of course, it smells like hell and everyone in the shop will hate you for a long time.

[ScorchedEarthErotica]

You guys are awesome, thanks. Ima just get a bigger hammer and a few beers and keep at it.

I ran into this problem on a control arm on my friend's '66 Charger. We hammered it, chiseled it, torched it, and swore at it, and eventually just bought a new control arm w/ installed ball joint. I didn't want to have to go that route.