I've gotten used to using excessive heat proactively on all Vanagon repairs, and in this case it worked!
: )

-craig

On Jul 3, 2013, at 9:54 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:

> There is hope for the younger generation. Well done, Craig.
> 
> Jim
> 
> 
> On Wed, Jul 3, 2013 at 8:41 PM, Craig Cowan <phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Got them off!
>> One was tough to get off the ends of the threads with the entire assembly moving. I tightened it as tight as I could then cut the remaining bolt section off. Then I heated the but cherry red and worked it off while grabbing the ball end with vice grips.
>> The other one had the nut come off nicely once heated cherry red, without the joint spinning. Just my luck, as then the joint wouldn't spin or come out. Large hammers were needed.
>> Anyway, it's done. Thanks!
>> 
>> -craig
>> 
>> On Jul 3, 2013, at 8:49 PM, "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> > I used a pitman arm puller type tool in the video I just did on this last week.  You can buy a pickle fork from Autozone for pretty cheap.  Just be sure to keep the two allen head bolts installed on the upper control arm while you use the pickle fork to pull the upper ball joint.  If you don't you won't be able to get enough leverage for it to pop off.
>> >
>> > Ken Wilford
>> > John 3:16
>> > www.vanagain.com
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Wed, Jul 3, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Craig Cowan <phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> I've got to pull two upper ball joints which are just spinning (have the bolts half out) and no Pickel fork.
>> >> Any suggestions?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks!
>> >> -craig
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Thanks,
>> > Ken Wilford
>> > John 3:16
>> > www.vanagain.com
>