[LowRider67]

I’m changing out front spindles on my 67 and do not want to damage ball joints or boots. Is there another way besides the pickle fork or can you use the fork without damage???

 

[Blackhawk]

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

I used a tie rod tool similar to that to pull fresh tall ball joints that a pickle fork wouldn't wedge into.

 

[senna]

I have this type

2154 - BALL JOINT SPREADER TOOL

2154 - BALL JOINT SPREADER TOOL

howeracing.com

Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk

 

[2/75NastyNewbs]

BFH against portion of the spindle that lower ball joint passes through. Should deform it enough momentarily to release the ball joint. Keep a Jack underneath the lower A arm. Lots of pressure stored in that spring. (Almost lost a finger when I was in high school)

 

[LowRider67]

BFH against portion of the spindle that lower ball joint passes through. Should deform it enough momentarily to release the ball joint. Keep a Jack underneath the lower A arm. Lots of pressure stored in that spring. (Almost lost a finger when I was in high school)

 

[LowRider67]

I have plenty of BHs, I will try that before the PF, lm leaving my old shocks in and placing a Jack under the lower control arm while on Jack stands. The old shock should the spring in place if there is an issue. After I get the new spindle on then I can install new KYB shocks and my new drilled and slotted rotors with nee calipers...Thanks for the advice😃

 

[2/75NastyNewbs]

Good luck. It can be an exercise in patience. The good news is you have something to beat with a hammer when you get pissed.

 

[oldcutlass]

I never use a pickle fork or any other specialized tools, just a hammer. A couple of well placed solid whacks and they separate.

 

[LowRider67]

I never use a pickle fork or any other specialized tools, just a hammer. A couple of well placed solid whacks and they separate.

Where do I hit it, on the spindle itself?

 

[LowRider67]

 

[LowRider67]

View attachment 709486

On top of the old one where my finger is pointing?

 

[Badd64]

On top of the old one where my finger is pointing?

No... hit right on opposite sode of where your finger is. Outside of where balljoint goes through spindle. on the side. Directly where your hammer face is looking.. Good luck.

Leave ball joint nut on to where top of nut is at top of ball joint and smack the spindle.. Sometimes they pop loose slowly sometimes immediatly. so be prepared just in case something lets loose unexpectedly and violently

 

[LowRider67]

No... hit right on opposite sode of where your finger is. Outside of where balljoint goes through spindle. on the side. Directly where your hammer face is looking.. Good luck.

Leave ball joint nut on to where top of nut is at top of ball joint and smack the spindle.. Sometimes they pop loose slowly sometimes immediatly. so be prepared just in case something lets loose unexpectedly and violently

Got it, hopefully leaving the shock in will keep the spring from flying out also. I have a spring compressor but was told I didn’t need it if I wasn’t replacing springs jus use Jack and leave shock in.

 

[oldcutlass]

I could not find a picture of an abody spindle, but here is where you need to hit it. Here is a short video to get the idea. BTW I've never had to use direct contact on a tie rod end, hitting on the side always works.

 

[-SS454-]

I have aluminum spindles, I dont want to hit them with a hammer haha. I think I'll need to invest in a spreader tool like that Howe piece.

 

[LowRider67]

I could not find a picture of an abody spindle, but here is where you need to hit it. Here is a short video to get the idea. BTW I've never had to use direct contact on a tie rod end, hitting on the side always works.

Look petty simple...Thanks

 

[amx364]

It also needs some attitude when you hit, so get mad, think of old boss or something like that. Now is the time to use that Ford transmission hammer! Pickle fork is used where you will not be reusing the old parts.

 

[LowRider67]

It also needs some attitude when you hit, so get mad, think of old boss or something like that. Now is the time to use that Ford transmission hammer! Pickle fork is used where you will not be reusing the old parts.

Okay, this project is complete, everything went well. Shocks, spindles, rotors, calipers in 3 hours👍

 

[1971-Chevelle]

I know you already got the job done, but this can be for future reference. I made my own separator. Just be sure to grease the divots (where I drilled on the bolt heads), along with the bolt threads. I also use a self locking nut (to give me a rounded place to use the tool) on the threads of the ball joint that is not being removed (to help protect them). Once you have pressure, a light tap with a hammer on the spindle will pop the ball joint out (sometimes it will pop out without using the hammer). This works quite well.