I've got a 96 4WD Blazer.

I'm in the middle of removing the upper and lower ball joints and the pickle fork doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I have a ball joint removal kit, C clamp type, I picked up at Advance but it doesn't seem to fit over the top or bottom joint with the axle in place. The axle only moves about an inch in all directions, but it is still not enough room. Should I remove the axle or is there another way to get the ball joints out?

Seems more to it than what I've been reading on replacing ball joints. The Chilton book is helpless.

 

are you using the right fork?

 

i actually moved my shocks out of the way and was then able to get off the ball joints

 

There are two different size pickle forks. Sounds like you may be using the smaller one designed for the tie rods. The bigger on should work with no problem on the ball joints. Just make sure you use the appropriately sized BFH with the correct pickle fork.

 

Yah first off make sure it is the larger fork,I dont think a tie rod one will fit around the stud,but maybe. It will make a mess but you just got keep hitting it through; just when it seems like its not doing anything POP.

 

Thanks for the help.

I had the right pickle fork for the job just not a big enough hammer and patience. I've got uppers and lowers on one side done, working on driving out the rivets for the lower on the other side but ran out of time to finish tonight. A couple more hours and it will be over and off for an alignment.

 

see pinetag, that was your problem. me........i only own a BFH-it works everytime (almost 18 years of pounding, still goin' strong!).

good luck with finishing it off.

 

Hey could you go over how you got the lower ball joint off?

I removed the pin, unscrewed the nut and used the pickle fork to pop but it is still in there. I also used a drill to remove the heads of the rivets from the bottom. When I use the pickle fork as a lever the top of the ball joint ends up hitting the axle and I cannot move it enough to remove it..help!

 

I'm having the same problem with the lower control arm hitting the CV joint. I'm to the point of pulling the hub. Any tips?

Thanks!

 

Wow... Old post.

Sometimes you have to pull the axle nut and push the axle shaft back a bit to get the lower balljoint out.