Greenville S.C. upper ball joint help needed.

[wettRunner]

I have been struggling with my slightly overwhelming project, and now i'm hung up on getting the ball joints out of the knuckles.

I've got both knuckles removed, and secured in a table-top vise. The c-clamp kit I rented has a perfect receiving cup, but doesn't have the right sized pressing cup, so now I am stuck.

I live on Pelham rd, and I'm looking for anyone nearby that has the correct cup to press the ball joint, and/ or knows of a good automotive machine shop nearby that can press them.

I understand nothing comes free, so if you're nearby and need to make a few dollars, let me know. Your help is much appreciated.

(We can even make it an event for the E. coast, like Timmy & Sean lol)

 

[DreadPirateJon]

I had a similar issue a few weeks ago. Ended up just cutting the shaft of the ball joint off and using a socket to press the remaing bit out.

 

[Werolin]

While I used pullers and presses for everything else, I had problems getting them to work on the upper ball joints. After Googling it and watching a video or two, I followed the instruction of one of the videos and used the caveman method: I smacked them out with a small sledge hammer. Normally I wouldn't try smashing something out like this, but I figured since they weren't going to be re-used that as long as I didn't damage the knuckle, or whack one of my knuckles, no harm in trying. 3 or so hard whacks and they popped out. Obviously, make you you take the snap ring off first. I also made sure to hold the knuckle up and away from anything, so nothing got damaged. Here's the video I watched: YouTube

 

[wettRunner]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll give a try to the caveman method, but my knuckles aren't nearly as clean as those in the video. Maybe some heat can persuade them to come out along with a few taps.

 

[Chuckles89]

This is how I did mine. The guy's pic of the stud cut off is missing though

3rd gen upper ball joints (UBJ) the easy way!!