Lower ball joint stuck

[Bryant Wray]

I am trying to replace lower ball joints on my 2014 Silverado 1500 Z71. The drivers side is very stuck. I have broke everything else loose, I just cannot get the lower ball joint busted loose from the steering knuckle. I have tried the tuning fork and the separator clamp. The clamp does not expand far enough to track the bottom of the ball joint stud. Any ideas? This has been too many days trying to figure this out. 

[CamGTP]

Heat the knuckle with a propane or map gas torch. You likely need to expand the metal that is around the ball joint stud. Do that for a while to get it nice and hot, then use a ball joint fork to try and get it out.

[richard wysong]

Strike the side of the knuckle adjacent to the taper with a large hammer and that will pop it, may take multiple blows

[Snowcamo]

BFH is how I broke mine loose. 

[mikeyk101]

Another agreement on a BFH. I used a mini sledge when needed and several real strong hits on the side always got it separated for me. Don't hold back and whack it good.

[Buckwild27]

Another vote for BFH.

[txab]

I use a BMFH, works every time

[Bryant Wray]

Used a 4lb sledge, didn’t bust it loose. Any other ideas? I got a ball joint separator from the parts store but the notch is not wide enough to go around the ball joint. Do they make bigger ones?

[Buckwild27]

18 minutes ago, Bryant Wray said:

Used a 4lb sledge, didn’t bust it loose. Any other ideas? I got a ball joint separator from the parts store but the notch is not wide enough to go around the ball joint. Do they make bigger ones?

Air hammer. 

[txab]

27 minutes ago, Bryant Wray said:

Used a 4lb sledge, didn’t bust it loose. Any other ideas? I got a ball joint separator from the parts store but the notch is not wide enough to go around the ball joint. Do they make bigger ones?

How wide is the notch? Mine is at least 15/16" wide

[richard wysong]

Hit it some more, harder

[Bryant Wray]

33 minutes ago, txab said:

How wide is the notch? Mine is at least 15/16" wide

Mine is only 7/16”. Where did you get yours?

[richard wysong]

7/16? That makes no sense, 7/8 maybe? Sounds like you got a tie rod fork, return it and get a BJ fork

[Bryant Wray]

10 minutes ago, richard wysong said:

7/16? That makes no sense, 7/8 maybe? Sounds like you got a tie rod fork, return it and get a BJ fork

Correct, 7/8, my mistake

[swathdiver]

On 4/8/2023 at 10:57 AM, Bryant Wray said:

I am trying to replace lower ball joints on my 2014 Silverado 1500 Z71. 

 

Stop by my house and borrow my J-43631 and torture yourself no more.