Removing lower ball joints issue

BATH2458

MEMBER
2004 GMC YUKON
6.0L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
179,000 MILES

I am replacing the upper and lower ball joints on both side. Top ball joints popped out without an issue. Bottom ball joints on both sides won't budge. Tried a pickle fork, pounding the steering knuckle with a 4lb sledge, PB Blaster overnight, pneumatic hammer, etc. Neither one will budge. Any ideas for how to remove these?

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Are you having an issue with getting them out of the knuckle or out of the control arm to replace them?

Here is a guide that will help with getting it out of the knuckle:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-release-a-ball-joint

If this does not work, then you need to press them out. You can rent a c clamp set up and the cups needed to press them out from a parts store.

Below you will find the process from removing the control arm (joints from the knuckle) and the ball joint from the control arm.

Let me know if you still have questions but unfortunately this is the only way to get them out without using a torch to heat the control arm and expanding the metal and then hammering them out. However, this only works for removing them as you are going to damage the ball joint with the heat so you can't do that and hammer the new one in. You will need a press for this as well so I just press them out and back in.

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