1969 coupe, car is on jack stands, spring is out. Old UCA is bolted to shock tower. Need to seperate upper ball joint from spindle. Cotter pin is out, castle nut backed off. Made up the homemade ball joint press as shown on Daze website. Do I need to support LCA before using the press? I am not replacing the LCA, just the UCA at this time. Don't want to risk mushrooming studs with this tool. How much pressure should it take for the UCA ball joint to release? Any other tips? Thanks.
Don't need the spring in place. Daze BJ tool presses between upper and
lower BJ studs, I'm assuming? (Like the tool pictured)
If so, clamp it in place with some tension and whack the fat part of the spindle
exactly where the BJ stud is at. BJ nut does not have to be off, just loosened.
Tension from the tool wouldn't be enough about 85% of the time. You need
a well placed hammer-strike. Wear goggles.
__________________
As the drill sergeant said, "I taught you everything you know. I didn't teach you everything I know."
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
- Douglas Adams
For convenience only.... a milk crate is adequate. There's a few pounds
but not much weight involved. If the strut rods are in place, the LCAs
really won't go too far.
__________________
As the drill sergeant said, "I taught you everything you know. I didn't teach you everything I know."
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
- Douglas Adams
Spin off the castle nut and then thread it on upside down until it's even with the end of the stud. Tighten up your tool and then tap the spindle where the stud goes through with a hammer. Tighten tool 1/4 turn and tap again. Repeat until it pops.
Yes, I would support the LCA and spindle with a floor jack or jack stand that keeps a bit of the weight off.
Spin off the castle nut and then thread it on upside down until it's even with the end of the stud.
I know the spring isn't in there but I usually don't recommend taking nuts all the
way off of ball joints. Particularly for a novice.
Getting too comfortable with suspension work is how a close friend of mine
ended up unconscious in the bay of a Ford dealer's shop and missing 5-6 teeth.
At the time he was one of 3 corporate Ford Parts & Service troubleshooters.
(those are the guys that go in there and fix warranty issues that the dealer
line mechanics couldn't)
__________________
As the drill sergeant said, "I taught you everything you know. I didn't teach you everything I know."
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
- Douglas Adams
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UCA replacement help.
