I am replacing all control arms, tie rods, and front end hardware on the 96 Quattro I just bought. All is done so far and went went well, however, the passenger side front control arm ball joint WILL RELEASE! The drivers side took 2 hits to the stud with a hammer and flew right out.

I have tried heating it red hot, the hammer again, and a 3500BPM air hammer.

Should I just start drilling this thing out? Any other ideas?

 

Are you talking about the pinch bolt that holds the upper control arms in on the outside? You are lucky the one came out so easily. Keep at it with heat and a hammer while prying inbetween with a huge flathead. I ended up having mine pressed out with a shop press since I was having my wheel bearings done at the same time. You may have no choice but to drill it out if you aren't removing the whole upright from the car.

 

They can be brutal but like he said, pry the pinch sections open, torch it, and wail the hell out of it with a sledgehammer. That's the tried and true prescription.

 

the pinch bolt went fine and so did the lower rear ball joint. its the lower front(main) arm that houses the sway bar link and shock mount. everything is disconnected, in fact the arm itself is about to release and fall off the ball from me prying and pounding so all that is really left is the ball and stud which is what I have been beating until my arms cramped over and over. also tried an air hammer with no luck.

weird because the same one on the drivers side took 2 blows with a hammer and released. all other parts are replaced and ready to go except that ball joint. any thoughts besides taking knuckle to shop? as damaged as the stud is now I don't even know if a press would work.