1966 Chevelle. I'm replacing my front drum brakes with disc brakes. I thought I covered all the bases but I'm having a hell of a time removing the spindle from the bottom ball joint from the control arm. I was told to bang it out with a pickle fork... can anyone confirm this or is there another tool similar to what would be needed to take off a pulley?

just make sure the fork is right size and hit it hard if fork is to big it will jam and if to small it wont pass over ball joint shaft but thats the way to do it

good deal,thanks.

another method that works well is to take a BFH and another BFH. hold one against the back of the knuckle and whack it HARD. the shock should set the taper free. you can use the coil spring tension to help free it, but be sure to leave the castle nut on it several threads so it does not let go completely.

I use to use pickle forks now just hit the knuckle. Keeps the ball joint boot from gettin torn to pieces and keeps the joint from being damaged. Sometimes only the fork will work though.

I just got though removing all my suppension and steering linkage. What worked real good for me was to: Wedge a wood block between the upper control arm and the upper control arm bumper or rubber stop (as big as you can get in there; then have the car jacked up at the center of the wishbone so the spindle is hanging free with spring compression (will be about 1200lb of force); Loosen the nut on the lower and upper ball joint about 1/2 way (DO NOT REMOVE THE NUTS); Hold a 3lb hammer on the back side of the knuckle and hit the front side with a 3 lb hammer. Take a good wack. They might both pop at the same time or you might have to hit each one individualy. If you use a pickle fork you will damage the boot, for which repo's are available. Good luck