I have two tricks for upper ball joints that make them much easier and
less stress to remove.  The first is heat.  Use a torch on the big allen
head bolts on the top side and head up around them for about 30 seconds
each.  If they are still stuck do it again.  They should get to the
point where they come out easily.  As for popping the tapered end out of
the front upright you use what is called a "pickle fork" however a
special one that can mount onto an air gun will make you smile.  Put the
air powered pickle fork against the joint, say the magic word, and
presto it pops off in a few seconds with little to no effort.  Before
this I would beat my brains out with a normal fork and hammer.  Now it
is like magic with almost no effort.

HTH,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Alistair Bell wrote:
> did one upper ball joint today. I was all set to have a nice time,
> and take pictures to document what I thought would be an easy job.
> Turned out to be a bear, tapered joint would not pop out they way "it
> should".
>
> "details" here:  http://shufti.wordpress.com/
>
>
> I also took a quick picture of my modified Jackall, high lift style
> jack. I welded on a it of the stock jack to some box section steel
> and that is bolted on the Jackall's lift part.
>
> Alistair
>
> '86 syncro 7  passenger
> '82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94
> http://www.members.shaw.ca/albell/
> http://shufti.wordpress.com
>