Chevy & GMC Vans

Trying to remove the front differential from Grumpy. How do you separate the upper ball joints, none of the joint separation tools fit between the CV boots and the ball joint. I've been smacking the side of the steering knuckle with a hammer, but it doesn't want to pop.

Do I need a pickle fork? I was hoping to not to destroy anything.

How are you supporting the weight of the front end? Make sure the lower control arm is as low as it will go. You then take a 3# hammer and whack the knuckle right next to where the ball joint is. The tension on the rubber bushings in the upper control arm usually pulls the ball joint out. Installation will require using a jack under the lower ball joint and lifting it up into the upper control arm enough to get the nut on.

Front end is being held up by jack stands on the sub frame, A-arms are just hanging there.

These rubber bushing have 300k miles on them, just like everything else it seems. The upper ball joints are still the originals, so I suspect the whole front end is.

Aaron,
You might find that the angle the top ball joint is hanging by is hanging it up a bit.Try to support it just a bit by the jack under the bottom ball joint so the angle isn't so great and then hit it with a hammer.Might pop then.

Gary, tried that too.

I have an idea to make a custom tool.

Just like Dean said........beat the H out of it. I'd beat on the ball joint stud. Doesn't matter you'll ruin it. It's getting replaced anyway.

Figured it out, just had to hit the steering knuckle a different way. I'd been hitting it on the side where the ball joint stud goes, hit down on the top of knuckle once and it popped.

Who said I was replacing the ball joint? #-o

I guess I read something between the lines. If they're sloppy now would be a good time.

I'm just trying to get Grumpy rolling enough for me to go get a trans for Green.

I have all the front end parts sitting around, cause I was going to replace Blue's, but it got totaled before I had a chance.

I guess when I'm putting in Grumpy's replacement diff I'll install all that stuff.

You know I don't remember having to take the ball joints apart when I pulled the front diff out if my 97. I think I wuold have remembered that .
I am getting old though.