LCA's How to get off?

[rfiltz]

I'm trying to get my front LCA's off and I can't figure out how to get the ball joint spindle out. All the bolts are out no problem, but with three points wedged in (spindle, strut, and pivot) it's impossible to budge. I can get the spindle down to the pinch area but not all the way out. I ended up grinding off both ends of the LCA to get the ball joint out and then had a time with the strut bushing. Want to do the other side, but not this hard!

 

[NinjaMike]

You take a pitchfork looking dealy and hammer it in between the joint and the spindle, then pry down.

 

[projectSHO89]

If you look at the picture in the service manual, is shows a CROWBAR being used to pry the LCA downward.

It works, altough I do now have a bent crowbar! (That one was TIGHT!)

Steve

 

[pjtoledo]

I usually take a lug wrench, or a big screwdriver, and place it between the top of the LCA ball joint stud and the housing for the CV joint. Don't get too aggressive, just pry a little to lower the stud, oil it, let it spring back and and pry it some more. It will loosen up a bit after a couple of cycles. Then get a big bar and wedge it over the LCA and under the subframe. It does take some practice. When re- assembling, keep your fingers out of the way when the stud is being aligned with the hole in the spindle. It can snap into place real fast, the more fingers you have in the way, the faster it will snap into place!!!

Perry

 

[Mr Anonymous]

A pickle fork and a shod foot has worked for me every time (including the rustiest SHO (an '89) I've ever seen I tore up on Wed.).