Ball joint removal....a cautionary tale...

[njoconnor]

This is one of those occasional reminders that this pursuit of ours can present risks.

After carefully following everyone's suggestions on removing the left front suspension (and was quite successful on the left, thanks!!), I was removing the ball joints from the spindles, in prep for the new control arms/ball joints I 'm installing. Had that little HF ball joint tool, so locked the spindle (padded) in the bench vise, removed both ball joint nuts, then applied the HF tool to the lower ball joint and applied pressure. Sure was taking a bunch of turns with the rachet, I thought. I innately tend to position myself 90 degrees to any force I'm applying on anything (old Army safety training), so I was not downrange when the ball joint shaft let go with a BANG and the whole lower c-arm assembly flew out the (open) garage door, landing in the grass outside. That sure put a pause in the proceedings, I can assure you.

Upper ball joint still attached; I'm gonna use a pickle fork, I think. More controlled force, I'm hoping. Anyway, whatever you're doing, check your force vectors/directions, use safety equipment, and think, breathe, breathe again, act.

Gonna go pull weeds for a while....

Neil

[bobplyler]

That's why its recommended to leave the nuts on.

[RRoller123]

I had one of those moments the first time I had a serious kickback from the table saw. An offcut bounced a little and got picked up by the blade and hurled back at me. I always stand a little to the left, so it only grazed my shoulder and then planted itself right through the wall behind me. I figured that was a good time for a break and cup of coffee and to ponder how lucky I as that my chest wasn't speared through.

[njoconnor]

That's why its recommended to leave the nuts on.

Oh. Yeah.

Thanks, Bob, VERY much. Very timely reminder, and I do believe I'll go back out there and refasten that upper joint nut right now.

Oh, and Pete....that pipe idea on the spring compressor worked beautifully. But it is a chore getting that compressor into the spring.

Neil

[RRoller123]

It takes some finagling, and I would recommend that it be worked as far up as possible on the spring, as you don't get too much compression with it as it is.

[njoconnor]

headed back out to the garage, replaced the lower nut, ran it down till the top of the bolt showed, then applied the HF tool. Sure 'nuff, after some patient wait time, and a slight whack with a small hammer,the ball joint popped oiut, held by the nut, and all was well.

Thanks again, Bob, very much! One more lesson learned in a car full of them!

Neil