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???
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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