I am dismantling the front, right suspention to replace the lower control arm on my 93 dakota 4x4. I am at the point where Im trying to separate the upper and lower ball joints. I have tried a pickle fork on both and a pitman puller on the upper (tool didn't fit on lower) and I cant separate these. The service manual says don't use anything to separate them. I've struck it like 40 times. My next idea is to use heat but the manual says this can weaken the control arm. Is it possible that these ball joints are seized in there. And im not trying to press out the ball joints out, im just trying to separate them from the steering knuckle. Can I press the ball joints out while still attached to the steering knuckle? I just don't really know what to do at this point.

 

First of all you do have the torsion bars removed right? Next is most people say a simple BFH to the control arm knocks it loose, I've never had any luck with that. What I use is a pickle fork on an large air hammer, it works great. Next is to use some kind of pressing tool. I've always like the look of this kind but never bought it.




Or one of these.

 

I did loosen the torsion bar and I removed it. I used a pitman puller on the upper ball joint and almost broke the tool because I wrenched it down so much. In the process I also damaged the threads on the upper ball joint. However its still in the knuckle. The lower ball joint is still in tact. I used a pickle fork and a 20lb sledge hammer and still nothing. Thats still in the knuckle too. It looks like the pickle fork is in as much as it can go and I dont want to break it further. I just really don't want to damage the upper control arm because it looks like a real pain to replace. Any other ideas? Im doing an off frame restoration and so far the project is on hold until I can get this figured out.

 

I have a 2006 Raider / Dakota, which is SLIGHTLY different...
Just changed the ball joints on this bad boy (actually only got to finish one tonight) but have a couple pointers.
First, I started with the pickle fork attachment for my air chisel- that was an absolute joke.
Second I went onto Advanced Auto Parts to rent their $170 tool set- will get dough back. This tool set gets it done, though I wish I could say quickly. Once I figured out which way to orient the tool (i.e. push it down not up) it worked good. Use a breaker bar and also a large threaded pipe as an extended torque arm- if you don't have one handy stop at home depot for a $5-$10 pipe remnant to make your life easier.
Be sure to remove the spindle to get it done best- it really doesn't take long to do so, and the difference on my model is literally night and day.
Good luck!