I could use some help here from anyone that has removed a front axle please . I can't seem to get the upper or lower A arms to drop  loose from the ball pin ?? Is there a special tool needed ? I have removed everything that the service manual calls for and more and still having no luck.  Thanks for any help

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

On other machines I left the ball joints attached because of how tough some are to release from the taper. I would just pull the bolts from the frame-side of the upper and lower a-arms after I removed the axle nut (do it first) then just slide the knuckle with the a-arms off the shaft. Then pop the axle out of the diff case. A bit of an octopus to maneuver but beats using "pickle fork" and screwing-up the dust boots or screwing up the threads.  Oh..be sure to take the brake line bracket off so you have enough room to slide it off the end...or remove the caliper. And the axle may be rusted a little to the bearing race so may need to spray it and play with it a bit.


If you really want to drop then off the ball joints you can try an old shop trick we used to use...pull the nuts, suspend the a-arm or the knuckle so it will fall if released then smack the sides of the a-arm where the joint shaft goes through...the end..on all sides with a steel hammer. That shock will most often release the taper and let the shaft let go.

Don't like pickle forks. NMK had a good suggestion. I have had good luck with one like this for ball joints if it needs to come out.

GearWrench 3916D Universal Ball Joint Separator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YVWHOE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DjoGAbQCSKG5P

Thanks for the help . I did try the steel hammer way too no luck . I was thinking of removing the A arms at the frame as suggested so I will try that . Thanks and will let you all know how it goes .

Update : Axle has been replaced thank you so mush for all the help it was awesome. For anyone having to do this it was so easy to just remove the A arm bolts from the frame as suggested .

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Good. Glad you got it.

Thanks NMK and looks like I posted this one in the wrong one to  darn newbies  should be in the zforce 800 section
Thanks

hitting the knuckle where the ball joint shaft is always worked for me. Aluminum knuckles I will try not to hit too hard though.

Did you break it? may i ask what did you use as replacement?