need help removing ball joints, looked at other threads, need some clarification Options

[914 RZ-1]

I'm replacing the ball joints on my car.

1. How does one get the ball joint that is inserted in the control arm off? I've tried raising the whole assembly up with the jack, thinking it was misaligned and tapping it with a hammer to no avail. It's now soaking in penetrating oil.


2. Is there an alternative to the over $100 tool that can be used to get the bottom ball joint nut off? There are posts on this forum that discuss some $45 version on pelican, but all they have is ones costing significantly more. I do NOT want to use a hammer and chisel to get it off if I can help it, and I need to install the new one as well.
Here is a view of the nut looking up at it from below.

[bbrock]

Autozone has a free loaner tool program where you can get a tie-rod separator that works well: https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loane...ator/787834_0_0

Or good old fashioned forks will work: https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loane...-set/449957_0_0

You pay for the tools when you pick them up and get a full refund on return. O'reilly's has a similar program with same tools.

To get the ball joint nut off, this socket is a pretty close fit but not perfect. I was able to get the ungodly torque on mine with new nuts. It should work to loosen as long as they aren't horribly seized. Put the socket and breaker bar on the nut and then use a floor jack to put pressure on so you can reef on the bar without the socket popping off.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/perfor...cket/pfm0/w1269

EDIT: for $45 I'd get the tool listed in the posts above. Didn't know about that when I did mine.

[914 RZ-1]

Autozone has a free loaner tool program where you can get a tie-rod separator that works well: https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loane...ator/787834_0_0

Or good old fashioned forks will work: https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loane...-set/449957_0_0

You pay for the tools when you pick them up and get a full refund on return. O'reilly's has a similar program with same tools.

To get the ball joint nut off, this socket is a pretty close fit but not perfect. I was able to get the ungodly torque on mine with new nuts. It should work to loosen as long as they aren't horribly seized. Put the socket and breaker bar on the nut and then use a floor jack to put pressure on so you can reef on the bar without the socket popping off.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/perfor...cket/pfm0/w1269

EDIT: for $45 I'd get the tool listed in the posts above. Didn't know about that when I did mine.

So I would get the tie-rod separator and place it upside down from the way it's shown? It looks like it pushes out the threaded stud.

How do I use the forks? Just like a wedge: put under the horizontal arm and lift, thus pulling the threaded rod down?

I sent a message to the seller of the $45 tool, but maybe I'll take the new nut to the FLAPS and see if the loaner tool will work.

Thanks for the reply!