I am trying to replace my ball joints but i cannot get the automatic locking hubs off. I see that there is a c-clip holding it in there but the clip has no holes to lock into or prongs to grab onto. Other posts in here said theirs had prongs to grab with pliers but mine doesn't. Im trying to pry it out with small screw drivers but have not had any success. Any advice would be much appreciated. thanks

 

Use a small pair of needle nose vise grips and clamp it down one jaw on the outside of the hub and the other one on top of the snap ring. Then you can take a hammer and drive a narrow puddy knife under it and pop it out.

 

do i need a special socket to get the hub nut off now?

 

Yeah I think we do. If I remember right it's a 12 point but I have no clue why size.

 

Thanks for all of the help guys. It turns out the hub socket was a 2 1/2 inch socket with six flats on it if that makes sense, like a hex head i guess. I picked up a set of o-ring picks to get those stubborn c-clips out and ended up getting the last one out in 1 minute. so much easier. now i hope i can just remember how to put the automatic hubs back in. Im working on getting the spindles off now and will be moving onto the ball joint nuts. any advice on getting either of these off? i have a ball joint press. im going to pick up a torch tomorrow. i have an air chisel. I tried using a sledge and piece of wood to get the spindle off but havent been able to yet. thanks again

 

I know your not supposed to do it, but what I did when I had to change my u-joints on my 88, was use two hammers and put one around the edge of the spindle by where the nuts are, and hit it trying to get the prying part of the hammer between the spindle and nuckle, it would probably be better to use a metal wedge in stead of a hammer though, your spindles are more than likely rusted to the nuckles like mine were and thats probably why it is being a pain, I hope you can understand what I am talking about, good luck