Separating ball joints from spindles

["Jay Mackro" <jmackro@domain.elided>]

Peter Kemos <peterk@domain.elided> had asked:

> I'd like to undertake my first lower balljoint replacement on my 73 GTV,
> Seem to recall a posting from some time ago where someone outline a
> proceedure to separate the old balljoint using the weight of the car and
> creative jacking points....
> The idea here is to do this without balljoint separators or pickleforks,
> none of which i have.
> So, can a semi-hack shadetree mechanic do this without the aid of
> specialized tools?

I am not saying that it can't be done.  But, I doubt that the path of least
resistance to removing the lower ball joint from the spidle on a 105/115
series Alfa would be to a) remove the nut, b) position a jack under the
stud on the balljoint, c) jack up the car, and d) hope that the 1,000#
+ - of force this would generate would be enough to pop the taper
loose.  Yea, you could apply heat and/or penetrating oil.  But, I doubt
that it would pop, unless the previous mechanic were considerate
enough to use anti-seize (as of course you will be when you re-
assemble it).

Now, I did see something amazing yesterday.  I was at a reputable
Alfa shop (Foreign Auto Menders in Poway, Calif), buying some
spindle assemblies from Danny Wells.  The tie rod and lower A arm
ball joints were still installed and I didn't need them.  Danny simply
removed the nuts, took a large ball peen hammer, and really
whacked the sides of the steering arm and spindle.  The tapers
just came loose as if by magic.  I had heard of this procedure,
but assumed that you tapped on the female side of the tapered
fit after applying pullers, heat, prayer, ...  Nope - Danny just whacked 
it a couple of times, and out it fell.  Comments?

Jay Mackro

--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided