STOP! You’re Removing Suspension the WRONG Way #mechanic

Can also put the nut on the bolt but backwards (flat part facing out on the end of bolt) and use hammer on the nut just lightly don’t gotta use too much force few taps and it’s out

Honest noob question, could you hit the control arm itself up above?

That may work, assuming you have access to deliver the blow

There’s also a tool for removing! Not the pitman arm tool, but a different one for rental at autozone. I live far north in the rust belt, and smacking it wasn’t working well. The tool attaches to an impact and pushes the spindle off the ball joint. Took like 20 seconds with no effort lol

if you're a pro, invest in a brass tip hammer for this. you will do it enough times to encounter a problem, like cracking an aluminum knuckle.

They have ball joint separators at Harbor freight. I’ve used plenty of times on my knuckles.

Or use a fork

Dont do this to an aluminum knuckle

Btw, most of them are actually made to be hit right there to remove the spindle.

Just because it doesnt break the spindle doesnt mean you should do it.

Dude. So much critical thinking goes into being a mechanic. I love this stuff!

It is the best way, but I used to take 2 bolts, thread them down and tighten them together so they wont mess up the threads. Now granted, this is only when you cant get a good hammer shot at the side or maybe its an aluminum arm.

Two pieces of advice for this technique, from a rust belt mechanic:
1) Make sure what you're hitting is steel, not aluminum.
2) If it didn't work, HIT IT HARDER.

It won't mushroom out with the nut on. It works every time! 🇨🇦

Everything you said is absolutely 💯 correct good to see videos that are actually correct & real

Keep the nut on loose

Just mucked a med pizza and cheesy bread, thanks boys for the entertainment

ASE Mechanic 4 years front end ball joints and tie rods are tapered big one end smaller at end just hit like he said.

Put the nut back on too because when you miss and whack the threads they will also be unusable. Hope it helps!!

Striking it on the meat that holds the spindle is called "The Boss". I have not owned a splitter fork for near 40 years. A 4 lb hammer is the best tool in the box for doing front end or independent rear suspension work.

What Benz is that out of?

Yeah tht doesn’t work every time thts for sure

I had to learn this lesson in the hard way over the years and another thing you wanna know is you need to put the nut on the threads just in case you miss you don’t wanna mess up those threads

Been doing that for 20 plus years jr.

The best part about these types of channels are the couch mechanics telling people how to do this and that! If you want to teach start a channel like this guy did ! Either be supportive or just stay quiet

Remember that patience and taking extra time is better than not knowing what you’re doing and breaking shit when you’re young

Unless it’s aluminum

I have broken 2 spindles doing it that way here in the rust belt

doesn`t always work that easy

He said Spindle

I've never had this method work. Not once. I always have to use some sort of a puller.

Hammering the nut on the stud must be a pretty old school thing. I heard it myself in school a decade ago, and was so stoked to try it as a fresh green little tech. Ford was already using aluminum ball studs in steering racks by that time. That old technique always destroyed them

You put the nut on the ball joint and then hit the knuckle so that way if you missed you don't mind you up the threads or drop the spindle on your foot

Just buy the removal tool. Amateurs and hammers don't work well together.

I always thought that pounding was crude and could cause damage. They make pullers for this.

Take one big swing... Two. Take two big swings.

Before you hit it with the hammer thread the nut on a few threads so that if you miss you wont mess the treads up.

That's actually a rookie tip I'm sorry

I bought a tool from harbor freight that was pretty much a wedge with a screw on it so that when you tightened the screw it would push the wedge up and pop off the control arm, works really good actually, made taking them off a lot easier, no hammer needed

I use this. Maybe air hammer the arm some times. I usually leave the nut on a little in case I miss

Why don’t you just use a pickle fork??

The captions are completely covered by a comment

Man thank you so much even tho I’m not doing this in my car it’s still interesting and very helpful and your a honest person much love

Yeah, don't hit the nut end on, it can also eff up the ball joint, but I'd still put the nut on a few threads while hitting the hub just in case you miss your target

Childs play for gear head Brian

Yeah that looks really rusty😅

Or you use the proper tool

I've made that mistake before, good advice

I’d put the nut back on the threads before taking such a big swing next to it.

You should really asterisk this with the warning that you have to actually hit the piece and not the threads. Not everyone has good aim..... Lol