Now what?

[McRuss]

What is the alternative to a pickle fork? My biggest pickle fork will not break loose a ball joint!

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[Dougstdig]

BFH

 

[Rumpofsteelskin]

What is the alternative to a pickle fork? My biggest pickle fork will not break loose a ball joint!

This. Worked really well for me.

OMT Ball Joint Separator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099WQJYM9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[McRuss]

I''ve used my biggest BFH on it and pickle fork has bottomed out. I like the looks of the tool....hope I don't have to buy one!

 

[Alx63]

Bigger hammer always worked for me. Mini sledge

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I''ve used my biggest BFH on it and pickle fork has bottomed out. I like the looks of the tool....hope I don't have to buy one!

Douse it in penetrating oil and walk away for 30. Then douse it again. They sell that tool above in a reasonably priced kit at Harbor Freight. Penetrating oil and that together should get the job done. When I say douse, I mean not shy. Like “ 80yr old hippy grandma at a nude beach” not shy. It should be dripping.

 

[DylanM]

I''ve used my biggest BFH on it and pickle fork has bottomed out. I like the looks of the tool....hope I don't have to buy one!

Where are you hitting with your BFH?

To pop loose a ball joint, you drive the pickle fork in as far as you can to put tension on the stud then you need to hit the side of the knuckle right where the ball joint stud passes through. Just wailing on the pickle fork typically won't get the job done, and hammering on the end of the stud tends to make things worse.

 

[WilldWilly]

Like “ 80yr old hippy grandma at a nude beach” not shy. It should be dripping.

By dripping, you mean dust cloud?

 

[Rusty PW]

Where are you hitting with your BFH?

To pop loose a ball joint, you drive the pickle fork in as far as you can to put tension on the stud then you need to hit the side of the knuckle right where the ball joint stud passes through. Just wailing on the pickle fork typically won't get the job done, and hammering on the end of the stud tends to make things worse.

What he said. You have to put tension on the stud with the pickle fork. The vibrations from hitting the side of the knuckle will loosen the stud. Make sure to put the nut back on a couple of turns so that when the stud loosens. It doesn't jump out of the knuckle and do damage.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

This. Worked really well for me.

OMT Ball Joint Separator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099WQJYM9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Using this for decades, allways successful.

 

[Janster]

This stuff is awesome!!! Spray it on, walk away for 15 minutes…. or so.

Back in our wrenchin‘ days….for super difficult projects, we’d spray the area twice a day for several days.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

This stuff is awesome!!! Spray it on, walk away for 15 minutes…. or so.

Back in our wrenchin‘ days….for super difficult projects, we’d spray the area twice a day for several days.

Im a die hard Kroil fan. It’s a little more pricey but it very rarely has failed me getting something loose the same day if there are ANY micro gaps it can get into. Usually within 30-45 minutes.

 

[Rumpofsteelskin]

Im a die hard Kroil fan. It’s a little more pricey but it very rarely has failed me getting something loose the same day if there are ANY micro gaps it can get into. Usually within 30-45 minutes.

Kroil even escaped a metal can I bought it in, one day I noticed that there were bubbles in the finish, and punctured one, it was Kroil. I now pour it into a plastic container. I am a fan.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Kroil even escaped a metal can I bought it in, one day I noticed that there were bubbles in the finish, and punctured one, it was Kroil. I now pour it into a plastic container. I am a fan.

Haven’t had that happen yet but I can see it.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Kroil #1, Liquid Wrench #2.

I don't buy PB Blaster anymore.

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