This Time Its The Rearward Lower Control Arm Not Coming Out Of Spindle

[arjun90]

I tried using the Ball Joint Separator Tool from Harbor Freight, but this time around, the tool broke and snapped. It tried the pickle fork, didn't get through; I took the control arm from the subframe side, and now is resting on the floor whereas the ball joint part of the rearward lower control arm is still stuck to the spindle.

Do I need to continue working with a pickle fork here? Or should I try another Ball Joint Separator? I noticed there is no room for using an air hammer here due the axle boot in the way; also can't use heat.

Other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This is the last segment for my suspension rebuild on the driver side; hopefully Passenger-side will go smooth.

Thanks again

[arjun90]

By the way, I left the ball joint separator tool on the ball joint (partly compressed) for over two hours--could this have attributed to it snapping off?

[G Men 08]

I feel your pain bud. I went at my passenger side with a die grinder, hammer, and chisel to get it out. What a pain in the ass it was. Im getting ready to do my allroad from control arms and I'm hoping it goes smoothly.

[arjun90]

At last, good thing I didn't give up, I went for the Gearwrench Ball Joint Remover which I purchased first (prior to the HF version)--the Gearwrench did not work on the front lower control arm--- but it did work perfectly for the front rear lower control arm (wishbone), I found it very amusing. After this suspension rebuild is done, I'll be stuck with two ball joint removers (one from Harbor Freight and other from Gearwrench--each has their own role--one for the front and other for the rear).

Now I can finally wrap things up with the Driver side--torque down fasteners as suspension is loaded
Cheers

I wish you luck as well (I hear the Allroad Air Suspension is a pain as well) on your suspension rebuild; I'm sure it will go well

If there is one thing these cars forcefully instill in our minds---that is patience