Passenger's Upper Ball Joint--Remove and Preserve?

[mbruffey]

I need to do the passenger's lower ball joint on my 97 Bauer AWD. Mechanic says upper is okay, so I need to preserve it--not destroy grease cup, etc. Pickle fork is out of the question, then. I had to resort to that on the driver's side. Hammer whacks did nothing to separate the joint. Ideas? Thx, Mark

 

[nssj2]

a good wack with a hammer and a 2x4 on top of the knuckle should separate it. Or the same idea except hit up on the upper control arm. Aside for a pickle fork, that's about the only option.

 

[Gixxer1000]

Spray in some PB Blaster, let it soak in (read: have a beer), bang on it like nssj2 said, repeat.

 

[joe doe]

if this is the first time replacing them why not do them all?they are 13 years old .only a matter of time befor the upper fails .thats if the mechanic checked it right?