Lower ball Joint removal Trick?

[Tim73454]

Not sure if I found something or not, but last night while changing my coil springs I found an easy way to get the bottom Ball Joint off.

It took 2 C-clamps
two floor jacks and small piece of 2x4
Short rod and BFH

After removing the wheel, shock and sway bar bolt I backed off the nut to the bottom of the stud. I used c-clamps to hold upper A frame in place to the fram and used floor jack and 2x4 to put pressure on the bottom of the stud and nut. A few good wacks with the rod and hammer and it popped off. The left side took about an 1 1/2 hours until I figured this out. The second side took less than 30 mins to R&R the spring.

Sorry if my terms are wrong I'm not much of a shade tree!!!

Tim73454

 

[handya]

Hi Tim,
Sounds like you are a backyard mechanic. Any trick to replacing rear torsion arm rubbers.. About to tackle that job when I get the rubbers. Notice there is a special tool for removing the bottom shock mount, but i wonder it that is really necessary.

Bob

 

[Tim73454]

Sorry I haven't had to do anything on the rear-end myself. I'm sure someone in here will have a great tip on the best way to do it.


Tim73454

 

[BigRed]

Just a thought but can you put half of the arm intoa vice then in between leg's of the wing stick a bottle or flat bed jack in there to pop out the seal?

Only reason I even thought of this is because actual presses operate on a similar idea.

 

[Jack]

Good job Tim ... yes you're a bona fide shadetree ... you earned it with ingenuity.
JACK:gap

 

[Dave L.]

Bob- For one thing,about a week before you remove the lower shock mounts from the spindle,soak those things with the best penetrating oil-spray you have. Get the removal tool and a good 3 lb hammer. You will probably have to beat the heck out of them but they will come off slowly. Some guys use torches and heat them but I didn't have acces to one. I would buy a new set of shock mounts from vettebrakes as the old ones will probably be corroded. Use some sort of antiseeze compound on the new supports when installing.

Dave

p.s. Welcome to CAC! I see you are from Hummlestown. I have probably seen you and your car at the Soda Jerk! I can't wait for spring.

 

[handya]

Dave,
Sounds like you have done this job before. I was anticipating having to remove the lower shock mounts, but in looking at it again it looks like if i take the inside mount down i should be able to knock the strut off the lower shock mount without removing the shock mount. Think this procedure will work?

Havn't done the Soda Jerk scene yet, but probably will be around in the spring. Just got my Vette the end of September. Have been a Harley rider for 30 years, sold the Harley and got a Vette.

Bob

 

[Dave L.]

Bob, are you replacing the bushings in the strut rods or trailing arms? If you are replacing strut rod bushings you will definitely have to remove the shock mount from the spindle. If you are replacing the bushings in the front of the trailing arms,I suppose you could remove the trailing arm with the strut attached but if you are going to all that trouble you might as well replace struts and or bushings at the same time. By the way, VBandP.com has a great adjustable struts available (product # 42009).

Take Care.... Dave

 

[handya]

Dave,
I am replacing the strut rod bushings. Have them on order from Corvette Central, but thanks for the info on VBandP.com. Will check into them. Guess I will have the job of banging out the lower shock mount.
Bob