Today I decided to replace the lower ball joints on an 87 fiero and after removing the lower "A" arm I discovered the standard ball joint C clamp tool kit does not seem to fit on the bottom or underside of the "A" arm (too close a tolerance) to press out the ball joint. Has anyone removed one of these lower ball joints and is there a special adapter for the C clamp to remove the joint? The chilton and other manuals simply say to replace the entire "A" arm but this does not seem reasonable since a replacement ball joint is avaliable. I would hate to have to take the part to Manny, Moe, and Jack or worst the dealer to have the ball joint pressed out when I am so close to being done with the job. Besides I do like to have the proper tools and do the work myself when ever I can. any thoughts would be appreciated.

I use the BFH approach (big f'n hammer).

It works well with the control arm still on the car. Since your control arm is already off you'll need to figure out a different route. Maybe clamp it to a bench and use the hammer approach or take it to a machine shop and have them press it out.

Good luck.

I have always had a local auto machine shop press out the old and press in the new ball joints and rubber control arm bushings. The cost should be very reasonable.

I would strongly suggest that you replace the control arm bushings while the control arm is out of the car. Replacing both upper and lower control arms and the ball joints will tighten up your front suspension significantly.

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Bob
2 - 87 GT's
85 SE 4 cyl

If you have room in your garage, it's a good excuse to buy an inexpensive (<$150) hydraulic press. (Tool nut speaking.)

If you have a local auto zone, go to them and they will loan you a press for free.
i think you pay them for the press and when you bring it back they refund your money.
this is also true on all of their tools.
real good deal

I do have one of the Autozone type tool kits, which is the C-clamp style kit I refered to, but as mentioned it will not fit. I had considered the hammer trick, but I usually do more damage than good. Perhaps I will check with a shop and see what sort of tool they use. There must be something avaliable, I hope!

Once the control arms are off, I take them to a large parts store (like Big A Auto) and let them press it off and the new one on with their hydraulic press. The hammer method "might" get the old one off, but you'll ruin the new one trying to put it back in.

The hammer method will definitely get them off......I have done this many times (but must still be attached to the car). It certainly isn't the way to put them on (sorry if my post came across that way).

You can press in the ball joints with a hydraulic jack and a jackstand......this is a roadside repair technique and isn't a very good way to install them, but it works. Just raise the car with the jack, then place the jackstand under the balljoint/control arm. Release the jack and the weight of the car on the jackstand will press the balljoint in. It takes a few tries to get it seated, but it works. I had to do this on the side of the road once......NOT fun!!

I'm with everyone else.....bring it to a major parts house and have them press it out and then use your C clamp from Auto Zone to install the new ones. I also suggest replacing the bushings at this time too. They're cheap and you already have it off the car.

mrfiero, you have to use a metric hammer, right?

Caution, If they are original they may also be tack-welded on the top side. (My 86 was)
Just take a dremel tool with a grinding wheel and grind it away. Then you can press them out easier. The new ones press in and the MOOG's have a large spring clip that goes on top for extra safety.

If you do the conversion correctly you can use an SAE hammer.

All of my balljoint replacement experiences have been with '88s, which aren't tack welded, so I sort of overlooked that....sorry.

I found a simple and easy method to replace the stuborn lower fiero ball joints. The ball joint press kit avaliable through Harbor Freight Tools or the same 3 in one service kit can be rented from Autozone can be used with a small modification. This 3 in one ball joint service kit is the one I own and by purchasing a piece of 2 inch by 4 inch threaded piece of galv pipe at Home Depot (threaded is the key) for about 3.00$. I was able to use my grinder to grind down the threads from one side of the pipe making the pipe just the right width to slip in place on the underside of the "A" arm. with this added piece to my kit the lower ball joints were out quickly and easily in a matter of minutes. I have also found that for about 160.00$ Napa can order a tool kit for pressing out most any ball joint and they also carry a kit for about the same price to remove the upper and lower bushings on the A arms. This is a bit more costly but seems like a nice investment if someone does a lot of front end work. I may make the plung but not until after the holidays. Thanks for the post!

I used some scrap exhaust pipe to do mine. Not sure what size, but it's thin enough to fit between the arm and the cup support. It took a few crushed pieces before they started to move, and the stud pushed right throught the bottom of one of them before the cup popped loose. I don't think mine were tacked.