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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Ball joint removal

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Expert: - 2/13/2005


Question
I have a 1998 Ford Ranger 4x4 I am try to replace the ball joints on the right side. I am having trouble getting the spindle off of the axle arm. The Hayes manual says to just tap the spindle below the ball joints and it should pop off, no such luck. Is there some way to get these off. The only thing left that I can see is the camber aduster, and that is not suppose to get me any trouble. Can I or should I use a pickle fork to force removal.
Thanks,
Fred

Answer
Fred,

Talk to one of your local auto parts stores.  In some cases there are special tools for this.  If they list one, you can usually rent one at a local tool rental store, or the parts store that you purchased the ball joints from may loan you one.  If this isn't the case, talk to one of the local mechanics, and see if they will tell you one of their solutions for a stubborn, or stuck spindle.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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