1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Front Suspension Upgrade, Part 3
On the tie rods, one side is clean- okay, rusty but clean...
But the passenger side has this interesting bit of baling wire holding the dust cap on. The joint itself seems
surprisingly clean inside, though a little low on grease. But it's all gettin' replaced anyway.
Get out the pickle fork (as I said, it's all getting replaced) and give 'er a few whacks.
Now, the main ball joints. One could use the same pickle fork, but
there's a better way. Pop the
cotter pins and break the nuts loose-
then set the top one flush with the end of the threads, like so.
Then take a big bolt and nut, and a chunk of heavy tubing like so.
And that "jack" goes in between the two ball joints like this: In
this case, instead of using a spring compressor,
I've put some pressure
on the lower A-arm with the floor jack. So one the spindle pops loose,
nothing goes
flying out and inconveniencing the passersby. (Or, say,
sticking a big coil spring through your neck. :) )
With the jack in place, one just holds the bolt still and turns the
nut- it takes a fair amount of force,
but eventually she'll pop out,
but with the nut holding things together for a bit of safety.
With the top one broken loose, and the jack still supporting the
lower arm, flip the jack over,
add a nut for spacing, and winch the
bottom ball joint out.
Remove the castle nuts, and lift out the entire spindle, drum and
all, and set it aside.
Or heave it aside if you want, we won't be needing it
anymore.
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Information contained in
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purposes only. Our methods are not always the best,
quickest, safest, or even the correct ones. It's up to you to know how
to use your own machines and tools.
Keep your fingers away from the spinny blades o' death and you should
be all right.
