'54 Ford spindle/ ball joint issue

Ok, I'm getting frustrated.
I'm putting new coils in the '54 and I'm having a hell of time getting the lower ball joint out from the spindle. The shocks, sway bar ends and castle nuts came off without too much of a fight, but getting the lower arm to fall just isn't happening (yes, I've got a jack just a bit below the lower arm). I've started to bang on it with a pickle fork but I'm afraid I'll beat the heck outta the ball joint in the process.

Did I miss anything or anyone have any suggestions/

thanks,
Jer

 

Don't be afraid to hit the pickle fork with a BFH,,it will work. HRP

 

Danny,
Your just the guy I was hoping to catch. I've hit it pretty good but the top of the ball joint is starting to distort. Maybe I'll order some ball joints too.
On a side note, any recommendation for a bushings source?

thanks again,
Jerry

 

I bought mine from Kanter but you can probably get them from Napa. HRP

 

Smack the boss sideways with some tension on the pickle fork, that usually jars them loose.

 

If you're going with new ball joints, did you also try threading the nut part way on so that you can beat on it with a BFH and not mash the ball joint threads? That's what worked for me. Was still a PIA though.

 

Make sure you have enough room under your floor jack to allow the A arm to drop when you hit the pickle fork. HRP

 

Thanks for the input gents... it did finally come off but the caps are now junk.

I'm on call tonight so I'll have to put it back together tomorrow. Hopefully the drop looks good!

 

what kind of coils are you installing?

 

Aerostar coils, can't remember a year though!

 

Anybody know if I can replace just the caps on the ball joints or will I have to buy the entire ball joint ***embly?

 

I've found the two-hammer whacking method to work pretty well. One hammer in each hand, hitting both sides of the spindle at the same time. Don't usually have to hit them too hard.