2000 Jimmy with 105k miles drivers side has the original ball joint. I am currently installing my RC 2.5 lift and the ball joint is being a bastard. I am having a hard time getting it out of the spindle. I used a pickle fork from each direction and the thing isnt budging. After some searching it looks like the best bet is to remove my caliper and wack the spindle. Anyone have any other success stories? Heat it up, nervous about burning the grease...

once I get this out I am moving on to removing and cutting my diff....yikes!

 

you can add some heat to the spindle and wack it on both sides of it.. It could release it.
Otherwise, get a bigger hammer LOL

 

Yeah a bigger hammer seems to work well in most cases!!

 

yeah smacking the side of it usually will shock it enough. did ball joints on a crappy dodge intrepid today and thats all i did

 

There is a flat spot on the spindle to beat on. I don't hit them anywhere but on that spot. Iguess you could heat it but I'd be worried about catching the grease on fire.

 

i have used a cutting wheel to split them...messy but they come out.

 

Bigger Hammer.

 

If the hammer don't work pitman arm pulled I use it on ball joints and tire rods turns most of them from mins to seconds