A-Arms & Coil Spring removal

[matchframe]

Well I finally got a coil spring compressor. They are rare item in this part of the country for some unknown reason. I rented two spring compressors from the local auto supply store, but they were in such bad shape that they were unusable, the threads on one was stripped and the other's hex head looked like it was at the losing end of an air impact wrench. So I decided to just buy one.... well nobody has them in stock and were on backorder. Finally, one came in and I bought it.

Now...I am finally trying to remove the A-arms, and coil springs. With no weight on the frame to use to my advantage....body and drive-trane are on the other side of the garage...I have the spring compressed, but I cannot get the steering knuckle to come off the ball joints. Is there a trick to this?

Do I need to get one of those pickle forks to drive between the ball joint and the steering knuckles?

Any advice would be welcome!

Thanks,

Bill

 

[clar2001]

Yes buy the pickle fork make life easier.

 

[matchframe]

That is a great link! I will have to study up on it later.

I think I will get the pickle fork, I saw them on sale at Sears the other day.

Thanks!

Bill

 

[clar2001]

I bought s set of 3 from www.eclklers.com for $29.95 best used with a air compressor but they can be pounded off also

 

[matchframe]

It's amazing what the right tools will do!

I tried for quite a while last night to break the a-arms loose from the ball joints with no luck.

Today, I bought the pickle forks that can be used with an airhammer, man what a difference! I had everything loose in a matter of minutes.

Thanks for the advise guys!

Bill