Printable View
A mechanic buddy of mine taught me a trick to keep from struggling with a subframe when you have only one jack. Assuming you are removing the axle the way I would (see write up about popping BJ etc) all you do is leave one BJ nut partially on. then it'll hold up on that side until you move your jack over. You can do one side at a time.
So I'm in the middle of trying to get the subframe off right now, and I got one of the ball joints free, but I cannot get the other one to budge. I'm using a solid steel 5 foot beam. My control arms are shaped differently than the pictures I have seen from you Bill. So I am wedging the pole kind of under the firewall/floorboard. I went the lever route because someone mentioned pickle forks doing a number on our ball joints.
I'm just wondering what options I may have, or just go get a fork, and use that? I have levered, I have hit it with hammers of various sizes. Sprayed it with some pb blaster. It just absolutely will not move.
Wedge a crow between the knuckle and the BJ at the boot. You will most likely ruin your BJ boot.
The other option is a pickle fork.
A replacement BJ is $15 and relatively easy to remove when you have the subframe out (a 3/8" drillbit, grinder, driftpin, hammer, and 30 min or so).
When you're done, put antiseize on the stud.
So after an epic battle with the ball joint, I finally got it free, got everything else unbolted, and got ready to drop the subframe. The problem is that when I went to get the 4x4 across the engine bay, lift, and wedge a 2x4 under it the lip by the firewall looks to be bending. It's not even holding the full weight of the motor/trans, and is warping a bit. I can't see how it's going to hold it.
Is there some exact place I need to get this 4x4? I have it almost exactly over the supercharger fuel rails.
You can get an engine bar from harbor freight for like $60. It's not necessary and Bill's method works just as good. I usually just use a hoist if I need to hang it. I never used a bar when changing an oil pan/gasket.