I'm replacing the upper and lower ball joints on my E350 and all of the instructions I've found regarding how to accomplish this make it sound like removing the wheel spindle from the car just requires a couple of love taps.
Obviously I've got the brake caliper removed, the rotor is off, the pinch bolt adjuster is removed from the upper ball joint, the cotter pin & nut are off the lower ball joint, but no amount of directed hammering on the wheel spindle or the lower ball joint is breaking it free, allowing the spindle to be removed from the vehicle. I've got penetrating oil on everything, but there is just no give on the lower ball joint where the threads pass through the vehicle. Could I possibly be doing something wrong? I can't get the ball joints off until I can get the spindle removed.
BTW, I've got the C-clamp tool & receiver cups for removing the ball joints once the wheel spindle is removed and placed in a vice, but it won't fit in any way to assist in ball joint removal while the wheel spindle is on the vehicle.
Thanks in advance.
Joe
PS I've attached a photo, if it comes through....
