Removing The Spindle - Please Help!!!

[2000black&gold]

I'm putting new ball joints on my 2000 AWD 5.0 Explorer. Well, I'm following the directions here on the forum and I've done everything but cannot get the spindle off! I've hit it with a hammer and still nothing. There only place that it's attached is at the lower ball joint, and the castle nut has been removed from it.

Any suggestions?

 

[techieman33]

Hit it with a bigger hammer

 

[2000black&gold]

I upgraded to a sledge hammer from a regular hammer, and the thing just isn't moving. I'm afraid of breaking something at this point. I've even sprayed penetrating oil on it and still nothing.

 

[kindred4x]

If you are replacing the bottom ball joints you could just thread the castle nut back on to the bottom ball joint a bit and start beating the hell out of it from the bottom up? Position the upper ball joint back into the spindle to hold it upright and start hitting the part of the bottom balljoint to try and break apart the seized spindle

 

[kindred4x]

You can also could put a floor jack or bottle jack under the lower ball joint where it comes through the spindle and jack up a tiny bit to have a bit of the vehicles weight working with you, but not enough to lift the car or put you in danger. then hit the spindle or lower control arm, add the weight of the vehicle and it might work, worked for me in the past, just please dont jack it up real high with the jack

 

[brentseland]

Heres all you need to do
take your time brother! look at what your doing as yin and yang would see what your doing! there is no magic. take all the bolts off
use physics. you know leverage, heat, force, what it takes ya know man. i had a 6 lb sledgehammer to my rear susp bracket bolts after that rotted

 

[2000black&gold]

Finally got it off! Sprayed it down with penetrating oil, let it sit overnight, then beat the crap out of it with the sledge hammer this morning. Only took five or so minutes. I also used the jack trick, so thanks kindred!!!

 

[kindred4x]

Awesome!! gotta love it when a shade tree mechanic plans come together!