Best Ball Joint Removal Trick Works Every Time! 😉 *SATISFYING* Subaru Ball Joints

[@jessicabriggs7108]

The men in our family were beating on that thing for half a day. I decided to look for how to videos. Came across yours. Showed the guys, they had it off 10 minutes later. Thank you!!! Your trick is awesome.

[@802Garage]

Hahaha THAT is amazing. Probably my fav comment so far. Thank you and really glad it helped!

[@brickhouse964]

Pounded on my 2008 Impreza from New England for a couple hours before finding this video. Had both ball joints out of the steering knuckle in under 15min each using the trick! Awesome! Thanks again!

[@802Garage]

That is too awesome. Love getting these comments. Has been such a massive time saver for me. Thanks!

[@timxzentradi2784]

Brilliant! Worked first try!

[@802Garage]

I love to hear it.

[@jamesroseboro2764]

What did you wedge between the ball joint and control arm?

[@jamesreid9159]

Works a treat, had a super stubborn on my skoda octavia, this sorted it in no time

[@802Garage]

Glad to hear it!

[@tarantulapalp4295]

Is it bad that I lifted it by the wheel hub ? I had already taken off the rotor . Did I damage anything? Also I separated that rubber boot from the bottom of the control arm and grease oozed out?

[@802Garage]

Nah shouldn't have damaged the bearing or anything it handles way more force than that. If you mean the rubber boot on the ball joint, yes it's there to contain grease. As long as you didn't pierce the boot and can put it back on, the ball joint should be fine. If you are replacing it, it doesn't matter anyways.

[@johnjlanejr]

This happens to my truck lower control arm ball joint EVERY time I need to remove it, and it's not corroded...just always a pain in the ass...

[@802Garage]

Yeeep gotta love it! I love small tricks that can save a ton of time.

[@maureentempleton5657]

Thanks for the awesome tip! After my husband fought with our Honda Civic for an hour trying several ways to try to get the ball joint separated from the control arm, we decided to check KZbin and found your very helpful tip. After trying this with a metal wedge and then impacting with a 5lb hammer, it broke free!

[@802Garage]

Thanks much for the comment! Very glad to help.

[@mrsmeadowyellow]

Three days of trying to get this done! Thank you sir!!!! Finally got it out. I even heard the pop!.

[@802Garage]

That's awesome you're very welcome. The pop is super satisfying. 😁 Thanks for the comment.

[@jwerner3903]

Thank you!!! After 3 hours I was ready to drive it to a shop to have them do it, but I was worried that the balljoint would collapse on the way there. I searched KZbin and found your video, thank goodness. I used impact sockets as wedges, it took 3 ‘drops’and it worked! Thank you again! You should get a reward on KZbin for the most helpful video!

[@802Garage]

Heck yes! Love comments like this. Happy to help. You can use the same trick to pull the joint from the socket as well. Just partially thread the stud nut back on, like most of the way. Remove the pinch joint bolt, spread the clamp a tiny bit with a chisel be gentle, and then perform the drop trick again!

[@jwerner3903]

@@802Garage Got the driver's side out but the ball joint is stuck on the passenger side, it's not coming out after 12 drops with the stud threaded on the control arm. I did get a big cracking sound on the first drop but the top of the ball joint is still fully seated up in the socket and it's not moving when I take a 4 lb sledge to the control arm. The wedges I'm putting in have made small dent in the control arm after so many drops. The pinch bolt has been removed, I'll try spreading the pinch clamp a little bit as you suggested. I'm also going to buy a wedge for splitting wood at Harbor Freight and will try that as a wedge instead of impact sockets. Thanks again.

[@jwerner3903]

@@802Garage Also, somehow in the midst of all of the drops the rotor is now turned to the right about 20 degrees while the driver's side rotor is pointing straight ahead. Not good. Do you have any idea what happened? I think it happened after I moved the rotor around by hand, pulling the bottom of the rotor toward me. Did I pull out the inner tie rod or the inner CV joint out of its socket by moving the rotor around? Any advice you can give would be much appreciated!

[@kevingath9801]

You just saved my life. Would've been hammering away at this thing for 4 more hours, your trick fixed it in 2 minutes

[@802Garage]

Too awesome! Really appreciate the comment.

[@Subarota]

I spent hours today trying to pry my old ball joint out. Finally found your video and after a couple drops the thing popped out! Thank you!

[@802Garage]

Heck yes thanks for the comment!

[@dokopal]

Just wondering why not use the tool designed for the job - the good ol' pickle fork, cheap and sturdy??? Files are no good. Period. As they are hardened for their main purpose. Axes and similar gardening tools might work but imho just use a pickle fork. Second problem would be for thise who do not have hydraulic jacks...perhaps they can use a regular scissor jack on some, say, pieces of 2x4 support, and then bang them away so creating the needed downward force...

[@802Garage]

The main reason is they don't always work. See the pinned comment for my note on the file. I, and many others, have encountered ball joints that no matter how hard you hammer on a pickle fork you will not get it to separate from the arm. Using the force of the suspension and the leverage provided by it to apply massive amounts of force just makes it far easier to pop the ball joint. Plus, many people who attempt to do their own ball joints will not own a lot of tools, including a pickle fork or other ball joint separation tools. I have seen people break ball joint separator tools on these ball joints when they are too stuck. This is a method that works extremely reliable and with minimal effort. This is easier than hammering on a really stuck joint, so why not just do this? This is pretty much just my go-to unless I think a joint will pop out incredibly easily. As for people who don't have a hydraulic jack, yes a scissor jack would definitely still work, like you said taking care to keep it straight up and down, and sure you couldn't lower it extremely quickly, but the leverage and force applied would still make it far easier to pop out with some additional hammering. Hope you understand my reasoning and I appreciate the comment! I do try to make a lot of videos targeted at people who don't always have the tools on hand they need and I like to provide alternative methods.

[@dokopal]

@@802Garage Thank you for your quick update / response! Highly appreciated! I probably didn't make make my comment clear enough. I agree on the method itself (the use of pickle fork was just a detail and many of them are not very well made). The scissor jack would work with "creative" setup - I believe if you put it on 2-3 short pieces of 2x4s (say, just the length of the jack's base plate), then lift the steering knuckle as you do with the hydraulic. But then you bang the 2x4s supporting the jack and you have free fall speed of release (faster than that of the hydraulic 😎👍😉). (TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION POSSIBLE 👍)... I'll try the idea soon on my old E46 325i...lower outer ball joint, most likely not changed (can't prove it though 😎) for 20 years and 275k km (170k miles)... Wish me luck... And thank you for the creative idea...

[@soyyoroaldo]

Very impressive! I’ll keep this in mind next week when I have to replace a front wheel bearing.

[@802Garage]

Love to hear it!

[@SergeiK1]

This trick is awesome! Was thinking about how to apply a lever and this is the best way so far. I had a really stubborn ball joint. I broke one ball joint separator tool. Then was hammering pretty hard. Then used your method: jacked the wheel, inserted 24mm socket, and released the jack. It still didn't come, but I only hammer once and not hard from the top, similarly to how you did on the pick axe, and just got it! Nice stuff. Just make sure that pressure is applied to the solid part of the socket. Anyways, now I know why they are selling pick axes at Harbor Freight.

[@802Garage]

That's why the comments about ball joint separators make me laugh. Those people have clearly never seen one break when a joint is too stuck. Absolute worse case scenario you could combine this trick, a ball joint separator, heat, and another hammer, and I'm sure almost any joint would come apart. Thanks a lot for the comment!

[@SergeiK1]

@@802Garage I'd add a rotary hammer probably on top :) Obviously, with the rotary function turned off.

[@ericwfriesen]

This worked for me on my daughter's 2003 Accord. Struggled for two hours and then came inside, scanned KZbin for a better way, found this, and when I tried it it worked the first time. Thanks!

[@802Garage]

Awesome I love to hear it!

[@pey7759]

This gentlemen, has finally solved my issue. Three days of torching, blasting, freealling, pounding, jacking, and repeating.... thank you.

[@802Garage]

Very welcome glad it worked!

[@Baldan101]

No way, literally just did this after I lost all hope, and turned to youtube for help. Worked perfectly 1st go, thank you so much.

[@802Garage]

Amazing! Love to hear it. 😁

[@jamesroseboro2764]

What did you wedge between the ball joint and control arm?

[@Baldan101]

@@jamesroseboro2764it’s been a while, but I think I used a wrecking bar. It’s just what I had on had that was the right size to fit between the components.

[@mdpminc1]

After 2h of hammering the bjoint on SubOut I was about to zip disk and drill this thing out. Came across your video and in ~10min on a 3rd try it came out. Thanks again guys !

[@katrinatiacharlesmusic]

My boyfriend was so stressed until he found your video! Banging away at that thing until pickaxe time made it all better!! Thank you!!!

[@802Garage]

Hahaha that's awesome thanks so much for the comment!

[@bobbymholloman4191]

2010 Mazda CX 9 took about 6 tries popped right out it was really seized used a fork and a pry bar. Thank you!

[@802Garage]

@@bobbymholloman4191 That's awesome thanks for the comment!

[@wegeenan6006]

I did this morning and I ended up with the BALL getting out of the ball joint, so I have to find a mechanic solving the mess.

[@802Garage]

@@wegeenan6006 Ouch. That's a seriously bad ball joint then. Was about ready to fail. Bummer.

[@wegeenan6006]

@@802Garage Really, the ball are very shinny and no rust on it. When I check the ball joint with pushing the wheel, it is quite solid so it seemed good. I don't know if it is my fault(I did several times) or because of the ball joint is bad itself.

[@802Garage]

@@wegeenan6006 Very strange, but there have been cases of poorly manufactured joints in the past.

[@wegeenan6006]

​@@802Garage The ball joint is original one I believe. When I check it, the inside plastic layer feels good. I planed to change another ball joint to an aftermarket part because Honda doesn't sell ball joint seperately. Do you think Autozone's Duralast is a good choice? Thanks

[@brianmooney7009]

I have been trying to get my ball joint unstuck for 2 days. My neighbor whose family were coal miners just gave me a pix ax. He said cut the handle off i have plenty. Gonna try it today. Keep u posted 😊

[@802Garage]

Hahaha I love that really hope it works.

[@VTEC_VAULT]

Life saving video right here!! Used a 25mm open end wrench, fit perfect between the a arm and knuckle dropped the jack and heard the most satisfying cling of all time lol

[@802Garage]

That's awesome! It really is super satisfying.

[@GMoney-B]

I really appreciate your videos. I like that you add a vlogging personality to it and your sense of humor in the videos and your comments. You seem like a good and happy dude which I find helpful in car maintenance troubles. I’m so grateful to people who make these videos. Honestly it’s the difference between a lot of us being broke or more broke from paying for shop costs! Haha.

[@thompsonhunt9940]

Dude it freaking works!! A buddy of mine and I were having such issues, found this video, and it worked first time! Sounded so good 👌🏻

[@802Garage]

Hahaha I am so happy to hear it! Literally this trick has saved me hours. The crack is actually satisfying. Thanks for the comment!

[@Emily-lk1mf]

This worked mint on my 04 FXT. We're square in the middle of the rust belt and the pickaxe/sledgehammer method took about 4 tries before finally cracking it loose. Youre a life saver lol

[@802Garage]

Really really glad to hear that! Always saves my bum as well.

[@kevinhasty8564]

Yes It Worked ! Wooo Weee, thanks so much . My 04 Honda Civic ball joint was seized up; it popped & broke free on the first drop !

[@802Garage]

That's awesome thanks for the comment!

[@jonathankendall8640]

I had to modify the process but this method saved me a huge headache!! I wedged a file in there and then jacked up the a arm. Thanks!!

[@802Garage]

Awesome glad to hear it! Just to note, I still don't recommend using a file. Wish I hadn't in this video, hahaha. Just happy I helped though.

[@itsmeforsure5475]

Now I have to wander the neighborhood looking for a broken pick ax. Mine is half way out and it won't budge.

[@802Garage]

An axe head or a big metal stake might work too, hahaha. Got any railroad spikes? :P

[@Mattmate]

I don't normally comment on videos but need to here. I bent my expensive balljoint splitter and spent over an hour messing about. Watched this video, tried the method and it was off in 5 mins. So easy. Thanks

[@802Garage]

So glad to hear it! This has been me y experience as well. Many people will just tell you to use a pickle fork or a ball joint separator tool and I simply respond that they have never encountered a truly stuck ball joint, hahaha.

[@varaare1125]

I cant thank you guys enough for this video, I spent hours banging on the control arm with no success. This trick worked on the first attempt itself. I did the control arm first to use astro pneumatic subaru balljoint puller, that did not work as I dont have any impact guns then Iput the control arm back with castle nut on this time and used your technique again to get the balljoint too. Thanks a ton my friends for this video.

[@802Garage]

I know exactly how you feel and I'm super happy to help! I wish I had covered using the trick to pull the joint from the knuckle as well, but I always tell people to do exactly what you said. Good job!

[@handsomemarco29]

That was a moment of pure victory when it broke free.

[@802Garage]

Hahaha I was amazed how stuck this one was!

[@parkinson1963]

Hey just did this on a 1999 outback. The passenger side was the original ball joint. As a geologist I used a geology hammer instead of a pick axe. Worked first try. So much thanks.

[@802Garage]

Hahaha that's awesome thank you!

[@no2smf]

After hours of bashing, pulling, scratching my head and cursing I’d given up. Then I saw your video. Got it off in 10 minutes. This is one hell of a trick. Thanks so much for sharing it.

[@802Garage]

It's crazy right?! So glad to hear it!

[@vladimirkhristov4653]

Subaru needs to put this into their repair manual! Was trying everything to get the ball joint loose for 2 hours - swinging a 4lb sledgehammer, hammering in chisels and pry bars with no luck. After all that, it took 3 drops of the suspension and ball joint popped right out of the knuckle!

[@802Garage]

Hahaha love to hear it! You should see how many people on TikTok told me "just use a hammer" or "swing your purse at it" like there isn't a reason for the trick.

[@SergeiK1]

Honda as well :))

[@jeffreygallahar4650]

I'll be needing this trick this week. From reading other comments it's probably going to be a life saver. Liked and subscribed. Thanks!

[@802Garage]

Thanks a ton! Hope it helps.

[@colinreue8447]

This is the best way I’ve seen. Fought a ball joint for over 2 hours with a mine sledge, full sledge, prybar, penetrating oil you name it we tried it this worked the first time on both sides!

[@802Garage]

Thank you!!! I know the exact struggle you were going through and that's why I made this video. I have not found anything that works better including a ball joint separator tool. Really glad it worked for you and thanks for the comment!

[@Rickkelley365]

My son and I have been working on his 2003 Ranger Edge and we’ve tried everything. Except this. Lol Here goes...

[@tannyrocha9344]

Been oiling that sucker dor 2 days in a ram 🤦‍♂️

[@shankyouverymuch8321]

Dude. Whooped that control arm for like 2 hours trying to get the ball joint out. This took 10 minutes per side, not even. Thank you for saving my sanity. My car is 2010 WRX for anyone wondering, 236k and rusted to piss and this worked

[@802Garage]

So glad to hear it! This really is the best trick I know for Subaru. Works even better than the ball joint tools. Really appreciate the comment! I know your pain.

[@HornsHustle]

Any trick to put new one in without messen it up?

[@802Garage]

If you jack up the whole front of the car and/or disconnect the sway bar it becomes significantly easier to push the control arm down to push the stud in. I usually step on it. Can also use a metal rod as a lever if you can find a good pry point. I always grease the knuckle where the joint goes in upwards to prevent future rust. Also grease the hell out of the clamp split so the bolt doesn't rust up later.

[@HornsHustle]

@@802Garage I gotta 95 ecoline turd I need to do it too lol thank man

[@802Garage]

@@HornsHustle Ohhh aren't those press in? In that case I recommend picking up one of these. amzn.to/3oaLMBj

[@HornsHustle]

@@802Garage right thats what I was tryna avoid lol was worried I'd have to get one so I don't mess it up putting it back in like probably get it out just putting it back in would be a pain

[@802Garage]

@@HornsHustle The tool is used to press the old one out and the new one in. I don't have a tutorial on my channel yet, but there are plenty out there. You can also rent the tool, but if you know you'll use it more in the future, I usually just buy it.

[@johnsnodgrass7535]

I have lost 2 battles with an angle grinder disc exploding. last month it was my right index finger that took the hit,, this month the left,,, note to self,, get a guard for the thing!

[@802Garage]

@@johnsnodgrass7535 I actually totally agree with you. After hearing a story about someone bleeding out from their gut I have always kept the guard on. Since then I have had multiple friends go to the hospital from exploding discs. So yeah, not worth the risk. Thanks!

[@georg_der_falsche3560]

Thank you very much. Greetings from Germany. Helped a lot with the ball joints of the control arms on my BMW E36.

[@802Garage]

That's awesome! Super glad it helped and good to know it works for an E36. Always loved them!

[@dackbowland1876]

Any time I beat on a control arm like this, after about 15 different athletic attempts and strategy’s when the last one works I try that first on the next one. Just to be disappointed that it didn’t work this time 😭🤣

[@802Garage]

Bahahahaha I feel this so much! This trick works every time for me even if I have to try it a couple times or hammer a lot.

[@dackbowland1876]

@@802Garage I’m looking for a way to do this but the unserviceable ball joint is connected the other way, horizontally so gravity doesn’t help me. Have oxyacetylene, big sledge, press tools, no avail. Got one side out so I know it’s possible but damn you would think they are really just one piece the way it doesn’t move. I’m a big guy, can hit very hard. Any idea for a ball joint that has horizontal orientation?? 95’ sc400

[@802Garage]

@@dackbowland1876 I just looked it up and that is a weird setup! I see there is nowhere to get the leverage you need. My advice would be a ball joint puller tool like they show in the DIY Guide for Lower Ball Joints on Lexus Club. I would lube the hell out of the stud area, heat and cool the arm where the knuckle goes in multiple times, then install the ball joint press tool with a lot of pressure, heat the arm again, then smack it with a hammer repeatedly. If it doesn't come out, I mean damn there's not much else to do other than maybe heat and a crazy powerful air hammer or remove the entire arm and put it in a press. The only other option would be to cut the ball joint off where the boot is and try drilling some holes in it to relieve pressure and push it out with the ball joint press tool.

[@dackbowland1876]

@@802Garage you’re right. Probably have to take out the whole knuckle and drill/press on bench. My only fear is then if something goes wrong with the 27 year old upper control arm, subframe need to come down in order to replace that one. What a pain. Oh well.

[@802Garage]

@@dackbowland1876 Sometimes it's one thing after another. 🥲

[@mgvaper]

Man I was out here beating on this thing for like an hrs and this worked in like a second thank you

[@802Garage]

@@mgvaper Heck yeah!

[@patricklitwin975]

Sketchy but got the job done. Don't let the rotor spin and slip off the jack when you don't expect it, happened to me!

[@802Garage]

Yes I probably should have taken more time to advise people to be careful and do so at their own risk etc. Good call on the rotor, def gotta pay attention. You can jack it up by the ball joint stud as well which I do often.

[@cheekychapman1]

Guys, thank you so much for sharing your expertise. I was just about to give up and take this to the garage until I saw your video. Was difficult to find a notch to jam something in but with the wheel jacked up I was able to squeeze in a file like yours, and drop it and after a bit more punishment had the BIG crack and it was free - new drive shaft installed and back on the road ( Volvo s40 - UK ) I OWE YOU !!

[@802Garage]

Heck yes that's awesome! Glad to hear it works on some Volvo models. I have a front spring for an S40/V40 on eBay that just won't sell hahaha. Wish you were in the States I'd send it for free in case yours snaps eventually. :P

[@daz4312]

My metalsmith's heart dies over the use of a file this way... files are extremely brittle, they are usually tempered to a purple or straw color to make them very hard, and not designed by their very manufacture for prying on anything... You can often snap them just dropping them hard enough on the concrete. Please use something that has been properly forged for use as a pry bar!!! You are killing me man!!!

[@802Garage]

I hear you hahaha! Check the description and pinned comment. :)

[@802Garage]

P.S. Thanks for not being a total jerk about it like some comments. I do KNOW a file is not the right tool for this. I just grabbed something from my scrap bin.

[@85mmonroe]

Used the astro pneumatic puller today and it ripped the threads right off the ball joint. It is stuck in the knuckle. Got the castle nut threaded back on so going to give this a try tomorrow.

[@802Garage]

I have one of those two and I usually end up using this method, partially for that exact reason! Worry about losing the threads or pulling the ball out of the joint.

[@802Garage]

Let me know if it works! Can always add a vise grip gor some extra support or weld the nut on I suppose. Then cut it off later.

[@85mmonroe]

It worked! Huge thanks man. Had to use a variety of different sizes in the gap but eventually it let loose.

[@802Garage]

@@85mmonroe Haha there you go glad to hear it!

[@larrywhitesell4139]

OK, thanks you guys! It took a ten pound sledge and some solid hits, but your pickaxe trick worked on my stuck truck ball joint. Beating on it with a large ball peen hammer wasn't enough. Large sledge necessary. Had to stack a large chisel on the side of the pick to take up space and keep the pick in place. Thanks for your help!

[@802Garage]

Wow that's insane! Def as bad as the one in this video or worse. I recently made a TikTok vid about this trick and it popped without any hammering necessary, which is more normal. Really glad it helped and thanks for the comment!

[@larrywhitesell4139]

@@802Garage yeah I really appreciated that video, I was at my wit's end. we have a serious mag chloride problem here in the mountains of Colorado and it corrodes parts like you wouldn't believe.

[@miriamvivo4279]

Im having the same problem on my 98 honda prelude driverside. I gave up for now

[@802Garage]

It can be a huge pain! Get a pickle fork and a torch. Hammer the pickle fork in and heat the stud. Do that several times and eventually it will come free. Just another suggestion.

[@MattJonesYT]

I had success jacking up the control arm until the space opened up between the control arm and knuckle was at the maximum. Then I pounded in a pickle fork and jammed in a flat scrap metal spacer between the tines of the pickle fork and the control arm to fill in all the loose play. I lowered the control arm slowly and it freed it ball joint the first try, after nothing else had worked. This is a great method!

[@802Garage]

Awesome! I've had to get creative like that as well. Thanks for the comment.

[@dorothyl3602]

I had to smash that like button because you just got my 40 year old Vanagon to comply!! Thank you!

[@802Garage]

Awesome! Love to hear it. :D

[@joshwilkins606]

Thanx for the trick. Really helped. Still sucked on the 04 Subaru Forester

[@802Garage]

You're welcome! Glad it helped.

[@joshwilkins606]

@@802Garage the trick truly saved me so much time. I was basically stuck until I found the video. So truly I greatly appreciate your time effort in helping all of us.

[@802Garage]

@@joshwilkins606 Love to hear it! It has saved me a ton too. :D

[@MindFull406]

Fricken life saver!! It worked! Been pounding for an hour and that worked in a minute!

[@802Garage]

Awesome to hear! I know the frustration. Thanks for the comment.

[@TheRoyJames]

Thx man it worked, i thought i had tried everything. Never gonna forget this trick

[@beccawright3238]

Best editing I've seen on a mechanic instructional video

[@802Garage]

Haha well thanks very much! I hope I've only improved since filming this. 😁

[@comradejuicer]

OH MY GOD you saved my life. I attacked mine for like 2 hours with a ball joint fork and sledgehammer before trying this method. Thanks and subbed!

[@802Garage]

So happy to hear it! I made a TikTok video on this and you should see how many comments say "just use a hammer" or "pickle fork" and so many are condescending. I'm like... You clearly have no idea what rust can do. I've been in your spot and this trick saved me. Glad to help!

[@scotthigginbotham9099]

this method works. i have used it for 40 years

[@dukeofnyd1]

I hope this RS isnt automatic anymore 🤞

[@802Garage]

Absolutely not. It has an 8.0L V10 and a 5 speed in it hahaha.

[@dukeofnyd1]

@@802Garage 😬

[@802Garage]

@@dukeofnyd1 Hahaha not joking.

[@davehill5311]

Holy smokes! I just spent hours with a pickle fork and specialty ball joint separator tool with no luck. After watching your video, I jacked the suspension up by the brake disc (didn't feel great about that, but I don't think it did any harm), jammed an old file in there and let rip. Boom! She's off in a few minutes! Thank you!

[@802Garage]

Thank you! So many people say "Just use a pickle fork." or "They make a tool for that." I'm just like, you clearly have not actually encountered a really stuck ball joint, so stop talking and learn something. Jacking up by the brake disc is fine as long as you didn't bend the dust shield and ideally you secured it with a lug nut. Either way, job done!

[@crtme]

Amazing. Spent probably hours whacking at it and this does it in 5 minutes.

[@802Garage]

@@crtme Isn't it crazy?

[@rednecktechnologies7166]

Well, I was beating mine Legacy for two hours.... than I watched this video, did what I saw and BAM!! First time succes... just had to do it twice to get it all the way out. So thank you very much

[@802Garage]

Awesome! Love to hear it and thanks for the comment.

[@wadebogs00]

Bro, you can not even begin to comprehend how much I appreciate you and this quick jack drop trick. Thank you!

[@802Garage]

You're so welcome I really appreciate the comment!

[@ct7625]

Thanks. Ended up cutting the stud off.

[@802Garage]

If it works it works!

[@JonathonMueller]

Beat it, heated it, sprayed it, beat it again...this thing was stuck. Saw you video and had both sides off in 5 minutes. Great trick. A file may be too brittle so I tried the handle of a crecent wrench but settled on the handle of a square chissel.

[@802Garage]

Awesome I love to hear it! Thanks for the comment.

[@CallMeAllan]

Thanks for the tip.

[@scottfree2929]

Watched. Went to shed, grabbed sledge & ⛏ Thanks for posting. Works🍾

[@802Garage]

That's amazing. Thanks so much for the comment!

[@willyschanke399]

Mine was stuck just like this and it popped right out doing this. Thanks for the tip.

[@802Garage]

Super glad to help!

[@ct7625]

I was ready to take my 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis to the garage. Then I saw your video. Worked in dislodging the ball joint from the lower control arm and my file didn't break. Unfortunately the stud remains seized in the control arm. So some progress thanks to your video.

[@802Garage]

Oof! Progress is progress. Hope you got it eventually.

[@johnwight6041]

Dude thank you so much!! New England car too hammering for hours on control arm, ball joint end with nut on the end, hell even jacking up the whole car on the ball joint end didn’t even loosen it while hammering. That worked in literally 2 seconds. Thank you! Wish I knew this trick before would have saved like 3 hours

[@802Garage]

Hell yeah I love to hear it thanks for the comment!

[@TheDamianism]

Thanks so much.... I was not having a good time... watched your video and was done first try after!

[@802Garage]

Boo yah! Love to hear it.

[@toxaq]

I was cringing seeing you hit a file but damn, this trick actually worked! (didn't use a file). Life saver.

[@802Garage]

Hahaha, yeah you aren't the first to mention that. It was just an old piece of scrap metal to me. Usually they don't fight that hard, but now I just go straight to the pickaxe every time. Glad it helped!

[@toxaq]

@@802Garage I was at my wits end and couldn't actually believe it! Thanks again.

[@802Garage]

@@toxaq Haha exactly what this trick is for! Thanks for the comments. :)

[@alexispiazza5998]

Omg!! Two days of this madness!!! Prospector method did the trick! We felt your pain, bro! Thank you!

[@802Garage]

Hahaha OMG thanks so much for this comment. Really glad it helped!

[@gerardlunow567]

Very cool. Have to do a 2003 Taurus wednesday and trying to preemptively create success. Thank you guys.

[@r3dhorse]

Why not jack it up on the ball joint itself with a piece of wood underneath then use the hammer? Creates the tension without the makeshift pickle fork/pry bar.

[@802Garage]

Because very often that simply does not work. The A-arm is generation relatively little force because it's only the sway bar trying to hold it down. When it is really rusted, even a sledgehammer won't do crap. Plus this is just easier and doesn't require hammering. I totally get your thought though, it just doesn't always work.

[@Vibrationofawesome]

But how do you remove the entire ball joint from the knuckle for replacement? This is only half of what I am struggling to accomplish. Removing from the control arm is the easy part.

[@802Garage]

You can use the exact same method. Remove the pinch clamp bolt. If it is hard to remove, lubricate and heat repeatedly and try again. If you break it, drill it out. You can replace it with a bolt and nut. Once the pinch clamp bolt is removed, spread the pinch clamp slightly with a chisel or hefty screwdriver and a hammer. Don't go crazy, just a tiny bit of spread. Put the ball joint stud back in the control arm and tighten the nut most of the way, but not hard obviously. Repeat the trick and it should pull the ball joint from the knuckle. Remove the nut on the stud, remove joint. Hope this helps.

[@DennisRundle-d4d]

Like so many other Subaru owners had to replace my control arm bushings, the stuck ball joint on the control arm stopped me cold, was going to take it to a shop let them fight with it. After looking at your cool trick to pop that bad boy loose I'm going to attack it again. I'm sure it will pop off, good one 892 garage !!!!

[@802Garage]

Thank you really hope it worked for you!

[@Akasnacker]

Now that's an effective way to strike gold with auto repairs! We got to all remember to use a pickaxe when it comes to digging deep for them auto repairs! Great performance guys!

[@802Garage]

Hahaha dang straight! Thanks a lot. 😁

[@TLervis]

You’ve given me the will to wrench another day.

[@802Garage]

Glad to hear it. Kick some ass. 😁

[@HartsGap]

Impressive Video. Entertaining. Now I have a 2011 Toyota Rav 4. Very little, if any, room to insert anything. I'm done ''bezelling off'' the nut. Thought it would just drop. Nothing. Hammered it, use a pickle fork, separator, more hammering...nothing. What would you realistically suggest inserting in there?

[@802Garage]

Well if you can get one side of the pickle fork in further without going around the ball joint stud, that could be an option. Otherwise perhaps a crow bar of some sort? An axe head? Part of a hammer? Will have to get creative.

[@HartsGap]

@@802Garage I did...got a bigger pickle fork and let it rip with my hammer. Came flying out after 2 tries...Thanks

[@802Garage]

@@HartsGap Sweet!

[@CherryAlias]

This worked for me thank you guys 🙏🏻

[@802Garage]

Very welcome!

[@raucepowers8127]

It worked, I love you, you’re the man!!!

[@802Garage]

Best feeling! Thank you for the comment. Did you come from TikTok by chance? You're welcome!

[@kicknsystm]

This is great! I'll be trying this today on my sons 97 Nissan Hardbody. I haven't gotten any of them to break loose. Any help for the uppers?

[@802Garage]

Thanks! For the uppers you can try the same trick if there is a good spot to jam something between the arm and knuckle. Just instead of dropping the suspension, jam it in place and then jack it up. Jack it until there is a lot of pressure on it, but don't life the vehicle. Then hammer on the knuckle or arm, and hopefully the force plus the shock will pop it.

[@johnnyjimj]

Works gtreat on lower A-arm ball joint, but how do you remove a seized TIE ROD BALL JOINT?

[@daviddouglas9237]

Thank you. For making this video was fighting a stuck ball joint. And ended up going the pick axe route dam it worked well. Saved having to wait to go get tools. Thank you guys.

[@802Garage]

Haha that's awesome glad it worked! Gotta get medieval sometimes.

[@xnadave]

About to go try this on a 2011 Corvette. Wish me luck. My BFH, torch and PB Blaster have all failed. :(

[@802Garage]

Wow I hope it works for you! May have to get creative to get proper leverage depending on how the suspension is set up. Let me know if it works for you. Otherwise a pickle fork and tons of abuse.

[@xnadave]

@@802Garage My neighbor across the street has a crazy-fast C3. While I was trying to figure this out, he yelled "David, what the hell are you doing to that poor car?" I explained the situation. He came over with a 5lb sledge, aimed carefully and "tapped" the control arm. POP, came right out. (I'd tried that. He's better at it than I am.) I think the key is making sure that the spring is still exerting pressure on the control arm. Great video - thanks for sharing.

[@802Garage]

@@xnadave Hahaha I hope you said "I loosened it!" at least. Thanks and just glad you got it!

[@jonathanaustin1622]

Mate your video saved me yesterday. I would have never separated the the old ball joint. Luckily I had a pick ax in the shed 😄

[@802Garage]

Hahaha it's amazing you actually used a pick ax too. Thanks for the comment!

[@singlecams]

I made video called "how to remove honda / acura lower ball joint from lower control arm" what you need to do is push the suspension down more you can see it is bound up on the item u jam in there. so u put more weight on the top of the rotor like stepping on it or putting prybar along suspension and pushing down and that's what forces the arm apart. U can see how much more the arm can be forced down once it popped out and the file popped out. Sometimes the arm will only go down so much because it's getting hung up by the swaybar link or strut. Sometimes just dropping the Jack doesnt work.

[@802Garage]

Agreed. Adding extra downward force to any suspension component will help. in this case, this way bar is actually helping because it is trying to pull the a arm down which in turn increases the load on the object between the control arm and knuckle, forcing the ball joint out with leverage. The strut is doing most of the work by trying to push the knuckle down and compressing the leverage point. Depending on the suspension geometry of a car it may work differently though. Appreciate the comment!

[@edgarsreinholds5931]

Ball joint separator makes life easier. Good investment thus far. Many joints popped.

[@802Garage]

Agreed. a nice one can be pricey though. A lot of the cheap ones would have snapped trying to remove that passenger ball joint. Most people don't know how to take advantage of the cheap ones too, by just applying a lot of tension and then hammering the suspension arm like normal. This method works well in a pinch or when you don't have the right tools. I've had to do plenty of jobs there is a right tool for with all the wrong equipment! Hahaha.

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

Cool, I use a torch. When the rubber gets hot is slips out easy. But I like this way too.

[@802Garage]

Yeah if you are trying to preserve the rubber and/or grease this can be really helpful.

[@jake_break9185]

@@802Garage I'm confused 🤔. you're trying to replace ball joints right? what rubber you saving??

[@jake_break9185]

👍

[@802Garage]

@@jake_break9185 It's just one of the reasons to use this method. Typically when replacing an axle it's easiest to pop the ball joint. Only one nut and you don't have to worry about alignment like you do with strut bolts. So in that case you would want to avoid damaging the boot.

[@jake_break9185]

@@802Garage oh ok gotcha. i had a one track mind because im replacing ball joints. you're right 👍

[@justincase7314]

Needed a new axle on a Japanese rust bucket shirt box of mine... Used penetrating oil, torch, hammering, you name it for 3 hours. The ball joint nut just snowed rust and wouldn't budge, so I almost gave up. Finally went good ole West prospecting' with a camping axe like in the video and "KARRACK" saved the day! Had the new axle in the next 10 minutes. Thanks!

[@802Garage]

Hahaha yesss! We love to see it. Prospecting works. 😁

[@dekotaburns1776]

Going through the same issue with my drivers side ball joint...02 legacy sedan...mine is welden on with 20 years of good ol Maine rust...lol

[@802Garage]

Oooh yeah been there done that. Use this trick. Has saved me hours. Get something big and beefy like an axe head to stick between if you have to. Drop the suspension and then hammer more. A large pickle fork could even work.

[@dekotaburns1776]

@@802Garage not sure if it will work now I took an angle grinder and cut the axel nut and bolt off.... I had to cut out the inner and outer tie rod also....I'm on a gravel driveway with no lift...I will give your method a try

[@802Garage]

@@dekotaburns1776 Oh jeez sounds like you're going full medieval. This trick only needs a floor jack just make sure you have the car well supported and don't let it fall of the stands when you drop the jack.

[@dekotaburns1776]

Good news everyone (my professor Farnsworth voice) I got the damn ball joint out, using the jack along with a pickle fork and a sledge. Triple h would be proud! Thanks man!

[@802Garage]

@@dekotaburns1776 Hahaha that's awesome! Love the Futurama reference.

[@kennethjohngalvezgotoc6044]

Hey bro, your hack saved my day haha! i cant get mine out and when i watched your video it was easy

[@802Garage]

We love to see it! Awesome.

[@warrior78fb]

I gotta say smart man, I was having trouble and I put a chisel from harbor freight and works perfect thanks a lot man

[@802Garage]

Glad to help! If you need to get the joint out of the knuckle, you can put the stud back through with the nut on loose and repeat the trick after you pull the pinch clamp bolt.

[@warrior78fb]

@@802Garage thanks a lot man, for now just needed to remove the knuckle. I’m doing a lift kit swap on my 2004 Sierra

[@warrior78fb]

First try no more than 10 seconds and I felt like I was the new guy hahah

[@802Garage]

@@warrior78fb Ah gotcha. Glad it worked for something non-Subaru. My advice above is fairly Subaru specific. When you finally get it to break free is the best feeling! 😌

[@warrior78fb]

@@802Garage yeah man thanks again, works perfect and you be surprised someone else’s way can go a long way for someone else like me 👍🏻

[@hogglegg420]

Had to come back and give a big thanks 2015 Chevy sonic it was rusted in there 3 hours of beating and cussing, I found your video used a flat pry bar for nails all I had dropped the rotor and bam came half way out after a few more drops it was out, got the new one in after cleaning in about 20 minutes. Thanks for the tip ❤

[@802Garage]

@@hogglegg420 That's awesome! Glad to help. Thanks for the comment. 😁

[@kfs2]

Took two tries, but jacking it up and wedging something in and dropping worked on the 2nd try. After 2 hours of useless prying and hammering on a rusty Wisconsin Toyota.

[@802Garage]

Most it has taken me is 3 I think. Progressively larger objects each time. 😂 So glad it helped!

[@reapedinhalf]

Great video! If you don't have a pick axe handy, a 4" C clamp works really well too. The "top" of the C tapers just like the pick axe and can be wedged in there similarly. Likely takes up less space too if you don't have the car jacked up very high.

[@802Garage]

Oh love that thanks a lot!

[@erectusmaximus5958]

Forged snap on pickle forks and 10lb sledge work great . Those Lisle pos at parts stores bend the tangs right out . Especially on 1 ton diesel 4x4 trucks.

[@802Garage]

Yeah if you can afford a decent pickle fork it's definitely worth it. One nice thing about this trick is it usually has less chance of ripping the boot if you plan to reuse the joint! Thanks for commenting. Name still cracks me up.

[@gordonhyde713]

This is the neatest tip I have ever seen Worked first time..Thank You

[@802Garage]

Bossss! We love to see it.

[@johnibbertson2960]

good but that ball joint rubber gaitor will be no good now, so new balljoint?

[@802Garage]

Actually one of the best parts about this trick is it doesn't damage the boot. Unlike using a pickle fork, for example. Sure, if you are very uncareful you could damage the boot, but I never have. At most it usually just pushes it aside a bit. :)

[@marshallhopper4709]

Like the trick but my 98 devilles ball joint stud is pointing upward the reverse that trick will not work on deville

[@802Garage]

Def won't work on all vehicles. For an upward pointing joint if there is a good spot to stick a tool for leverage, you can put the tool in between the arm and knuckle and then jack the suspension up to create the leverage force. Hope that makes sense. Not an instant fix, but may help with the hammering!