Hotchkis 80390 TVS System, Stage 1, 67-72 C-10 Small Block, 4'-6' Drop, 2WD - Manual (Page 6)

3
Disconnect the Lower Ball Joint
Remove the cotter pin from the lower ball joint stud. Use a wrench to loosen the castle nut that
secures the lower ball joint to the spindle. Do not remove the castle nut entirely. Keep most of the
castle nut still engaged for safety. Using a heavy hammer, hit the lower portion of the spindle to break
loose the ball joint stud from the spindle. The weight of truck with the impact of the hammer should
break loose the tapered press fit of the ball joint stud from the spindle. You may want to spray the
stud area with penetrating oil if you’re having a difficult time breaking it loose.
Once the ball joint is loose from the spindle, raise the chassis from the frame rails until the front
wheels lift off the ground. Support the lower control arm with another floor jack and raise the
suspension slightly to relieve the pressure on the castle nut. Remove the castle nut and SLOWLY lower
the floor jack until the lower ball joint stud comes out of the spindle. The spring may have some
preload in it, so carefully lower the a‐arm more until the pressure is removed from the spring. Remove
the spring at this point.
4
Disconnect Front Sway Bar End Links
If your truck is equipped with a factory front sway bar, undo the end links that attach to the lower a‐
arms.