I need help.

[tscott9330]

Alright, I need to know how to get the upper A arm off of the steering wheel spindle assembly. It looks like it should be held on by a castle nut, but when I took it off I still can't get the damn thing loose. I hit it with every thing I had in the shop. Should I get a bigger hammer?

Tom

 

[silver 80]

U.C.A. Steering wheel spindle assembly?
Do you mean the upper ball joint?
did you remove the lower ball joint nut too?

 

[silver 80]

here is what the 80 man said to do
1 raise vehicle on hoist
2 remove the tire and wheel
3 remove upper ball stud cotter pin.
4 loosen, but do not remove. ball stud nut (nut should be loosened not more than one turn).
5 to remove ball joint from steering knuckle, tap on boss of knuckle with a hammer while using a heavy hammer or similar tool as a backing.
NOTICE If a hoist is not used for the operation the lower control arm must be supported so the chassis spring cannot force the arm down.
6 remove the upper ball joint stud nut and allow the knuckle to swing out of the way.
7 lift the upper arm up and place a block of wood between the frame and the arm to act as a support.
good luck
Have you tried a pickle fork?

 

[tscott9330]

the upper and lower A arms are connected to each other via the wheel spindle assembly. The problem I am having is I can not get the A arms loose from the wheel spindle. And yes I think I am talking about the ball joints

Tom

 

[cruisin80]

You need to use a pickle fork to get the upper ball joint loose from the steering knuckle. Be sure you just loosen the nut on the ball joint do not remove it all the way. it is best to have your floor jack under the lower control arm for when this pops loose. coil springs can be very dangerous. I just got done rebuilding my front end. For safety you should wrap a chain around the spring and the lower control arm so it can not get away from you.

 

[tscott9330]

Thanks for the help guys. I just have 1 more question. I have a coil spring compressor holding the spring to the lower A arm right now, But my question is this, The compressor I have will not just compress the spring itself, it's to big It is just a generic one from Auto Zone. Do they make a special one that fits in to the tight space between the A arms


Tom

 

[silver 80]

I don't know if they make a special size for the vette but it does come in a different size.
When I owned a 71 BB I had to rebuild the fronts and I think that I had to do some mods to the one I had.
I still used a chain you can never be to safe.

 

[68Roadster]

....try a couple of steel plates and a BIG long threaded rod.....and as previously mentioned, use a chain around the spring, better safe than sorry....

When I did mine I felt like you....I beat those suckers forever with a sledge and pickle fork.....they finally popped......

Good Luck!!

 

[cruisin80]

I also tried the compressers from auto zone could not get either one to fit right. If you leave your floor jack under the lower arm and then leave it down slowly you can take out the spring. But it is a real chore to get it back in.
1st install upper control arm
2nd connect the steering knuckle to both the upper and lower control arms
3rd place spring in position
4th raise the lower control arm with a floor jack, as you do this the unit will want to move out away from the car. After 2.5hrs of fighting this I finally found a solution. By using a come-a-long attached between the lower control arm and frame on the other side i was able to compress the spring and bring the control arm into position to be bolted in.

2.5hrs on left side, 30 minutes on the right. I always was one to find out the hard way

PS ALWAYS KEEP A CHAIN AROUND THE SPRING AND LOWER CONTROL ARM FOR SAFETY