86audi4000csquattro

i need to replace my ball joint on drivers side front. the old one is so rusted, i cant get it off. any ideas/suggestions? i am trying to avoid taking it to a shop but i will if i have to

OWDLVR

Soak it...leave it for 12 hours, soak it again, wait 12 hours, soak it again.

Then use heat...lots of it.

-Dave

CGTBrad

That makes it a lot easier to lower the a-arm.

86audi4000csquattro

"heat, BFH, and BFPB also don't forget to separate your sway bar"

what is BFH and BFPB?

mt6127

more heat is good. For $15 you can buy a MAP torch at your local Home Depot - assuming your home toolkit doesn't include a welder's torch

86audi4000csquattro

doh!(sound of palm slapping forehead) i shoulda guessed. i am not hip to all the lingo of these forums yet but i am a quick study. will a propane torch (the kind plumbers use) do the trick?

hals86cgt

I had one where the nut case mechanic that worked on the car before used a nice impact wrench to put one on. Completely stripped the threads of the bolt inside the nut. PITA. So with the control arm off and armed with a recipro saw, I carefully cut off the bolts. It worked and I didnt get hurt.

If the the BJ is ruste to the arm, after soaking it in WD, slide an expendable chisel between it and the arm, then use all the things the other guys said..!

Just a font of knowledge I am...LOL

JeromeS.

It takes longer to get it hot, but it should do the trick.

daves85Q

how are the control arm bushings? If they are bad just get another arm/ bushings they are not too badly priced, or if they are good , use an air hammer on the flats(bolt surfaces) or just wack it hard on the end of the ball joint to break the rust adhesion.

CGTBrad

*ding* winnar