Frankenlift help

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:35 pm

Installing the Frankenlift but have run into a $%^&&^. Looking at page 77, upper right corner, of the 4 wheel drive and Sport Utility magazine article, it says "...gently tap the side of the spindle as shown with hammer to break the ball joint loose."

Well I've done that a few times today and can't get the UCA loose from the spindle. Is there a plan B for doing this?

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:57 pm

Matt, get one of the pullers like the one in the ball joint replacement tech thread, that is how I pop mine loose. Real easy and no way to accidently hit something bad while swinging a hammer! :roll:

Here it is:

It is shown on the lower, but works real good on the top too.

Hope this helps.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:03 pm

Thanks. It does surprise me though that its in there as tight as it is.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:07 pm

Smack it harder!

1calkid · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:08 pm

Matt, you may have to jack up the lower control arm a bit to take off some of the tension it may have it you are just letting it hang down. You don't need to lift it much, just enough to get some of the angle pressure off the upper ball joint. Good Luck and let us know how you like the lift compared to the daystar pucks.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:09 pm

Just don't jump when it does seperate. Leave the nut on the shaft toward the top, to protect the threads if the press hops when it pops loose.

When it does, it wil sound like it was hit hard!!! Mine were real loud!

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:26 pm

I guess its off to NAPA tomorrow to get a press. Have tried jacking the LCA but nothing is budging. Am leaving the nut on the tip of the BJ to protect the threads from my 'tapping.'

Jeepin Al · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:38 pm

If you cheat like me, you don't need to take the upper ball joint off. I just take the lower one off and slide everything into place. The Frankenlift was a pleasure to install, since it came with the strut assembly already together.

I leave the everything together except the lower ball joint, and it has been working fine. I will tie the upper arm to keep it out of the way.

A short lenght of 2x4, a lump hammer (5 lb. mini sledge) and a bottle jack under the ball joint stem, makes quick work of the lower ball joint and lower arm separation. :shock:

Al

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:42 pm

Hmm, mine came right out no problem. no puller or anything.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:47 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Hmm, mine came right out no problem. no puller or anything.

Dang, why do I have all the luck?

BTW I'm putting together my Flift. Turns out I already had the Ranchos and top plates.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:57 pm

I did mine the same as Al mentioned earlier.

Infact this last time is the only time I have ever removed the uppers, and I actually had a harder time getting everything back together than I had ever had to. Of course it had been 2 1/2 years since I had taken the front apart.

jnc91 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:52 pm **Posts:** 32

Do you have jack stands under both sides of the front end?

If so that is your problem. Put the tire back on the side that you are not working on. The suspension is unable to flex with both sides under a jack stand.

With a tire on the other side, you will be able to put a jack under the lower a-arm and jack it up enough that the ball joint will come out easily. I had the same problem when I did my install.

Only putting one side at a time on the jack stands is number one on my "knowing what I know now" list.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:05 pm

jnc91 wrote:

Do you have jack stands under both sides of the front end?

If so that is your problem. Put the tire back on the side that you are not working on. The suspension is unable to flex with both sides under a jack stand.

With a tire on the other side, you will be able to put a jack under the lower a-arm and jack it up enough that the ball joint will come out easily. I had the same problem when I did my install.

Only putting one side at a time on the jack stands is number one on my "knowing what I know now" list.

But I disco'd the sway so it shouldn't matter should it?

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:07 pm

You do not need to break lose the upper-ball joints if you lower the LCA and force it downwards with some weight. This allows you to position the strut assembly by going underneath the UCA, with the LCA out of the way. Worked for me, but I only figured this out after seeing how much of a pain it was to do the first side by breaking lose the upper-ball joints. Skyump136 may be able to clarify this method; he has preached it before, and I only figured out what he was saying after doing on side of the front suspension.

jpzkj · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:18 pm

Matt:

Try using 2 Hammers...One pressed against the arm and the other to strike.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:24 pm

jpzkj wrote:

Matt:

Try using 2 Hammers...One pressed against the arm and the other to strike.

Not quite picturing what you mean Jeff...

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:44 pm

I dont know why everyone is making a big deal about breaking the upper ball joint, i just hit it with a hammer. Had mine on jack stands, sway bar off. heres a pic, maybe your hitting it in the wrong spot? I was putting it back together thats why the sway is on in that pic.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:05 am

Ok. Were'd you hit it?

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Tue Dec 27, 2005 1:00 am

use the hammer to strike the spindle, right where the bolt from the ball joint comes through (i had to do it twice today as i was putting on my new lift, thanks dad)

jnc91 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:52 pm **Posts:** 32

lilmatty wrote:

jnc91 wrote:

Do you have jack stands under both sides of the front end?

If so that is your problem. Put the tire back on the side that you are not working on. The suspension is unable to flex with both sides under a jack stand.

With a tire on the other side, you will be able to put a jack under the lower a-arm and jack it up enough that the ball joint will come out easily. I had the same problem when I did my install.

Only putting one side at a time on the jack stands is number one on my "knowing what I know now" list.

But I disco'd the sway so it shouldn't matter should it?

When I did the first side I had jack stands under both sides. I disconnected the sway bar too. When I tried to jack up the lower control arm with both sides on jack stands, the lower arm wouldn't move and I literally lifted the entire jeep by the a-arm. I managed to get the ball joint apart and back together but it was very difficult.

When I did the second side, the tire was back on the first side and when I put the jack under the lower a-arm and jacked it up, the a-arm moved up taking the pressure off the ball joint. I was able to get it together much easier.

Try what I suggest and see if it works.

Jeff

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