I'm trying to remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle. I have tryed prying it out like it says in the manual and I tryed to sped the knuckle open with a screw driver like it says in the book. I can't seem to get the ball joint out. Anyone know of a way to get it out?

Were you prying with a prybar or a screwdriver?

I use a long pry bar 24" or 30" ishy. I don't know what the manual tells you, I pry between the outer side of the ball joint and between the spindle (facing the front of the car. Gradual force won't work, you must be abrupt and immediate, but don't hurt yourself. :)

If its still not giving, spray some penetrating oil and working the area around to get it soaking somewhat and try again.

And for kicks, did you take off the 14mm going across the spindle?

-paK +1

I tryed with a screw driver then desided that that was not big enough so I went and got a crow bar and tryed with that and didn't have any results. well I did have results just not good ones. and yes the 14mm is removed (IRSMARTERTHENTHAT) ;-)

How hard is it to get the balljoint back in the knuckle? I'm taking it out so I can have it pressed into a new control arm. Will I have trouble getting it back in? Any tips for that as well?

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-437998.html

-Charles-

I have tryed all of those methods. screw drivers the forks pry bar (just ended up bending it)

I’ve removed ball joints from 3 separate cars but never on a Subaru. If you just trying to press the ball joint out of a control arm or steering knuckle, you need to go down to AutoZone and rent the tool for it, it looks like a big C-clamp type thing. If you are trying to separate the steering knuckle from a control arm use a pickle fork (Ball joint separator) and be done with it.

I have the control arm off the car. I need to get the balljoint out of hte knuckle. I don't see how the fork will help at all. (I have a fork)

You need to bolt the control arm back on and put the ball joint back in the control arm and tighten the nut, then use a large pry bar. At work we have a 6 foot shale bar. just wedge it in and pry down on the control arm. Might also have a freind tap down on the control arm with a hammer while prying. Cant play around with screw drivers or crow bars, use a mans tool :D Forks work too but kill boots.

I know it was mentioned but that 14mm bolt in the knuckle needs to be removed!! not just loose.:)

Subarus are easy to do ball joints...no need for the ball joint press tool.

So you ar replacing the ball joint?

Pound a wedge in the slot.

Put the nut back on and clamp a vise grips on there.

Pound on the vise grips with a hammer downward.