Upper ball joint removal

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Hey boffs,

So, I'm removing my upper ball joints and my, like, ball-joint splitter isn't big enough (I totally only bought it for removing the tie-rod ends). Anyway, is a ball joint remover the essential tool for the job or can I go all butch on it and bash it out?

Thanks n all

[pirate-pete]

Give it a bash with a couple of hammers on either side. Even better if you can wedge some kind of lever (perhaps even the splitter you have) between the joint and the knuckle to preload it so when you clout it it helps spring the bits apart.

Even with a ball joint extractor I usually use the hammers to free them and the extractor just to add the helping force.

[Ian Hulley]

It's a shock it needs .... try showing it Mr Cheese's pre-appreciated parts prices !

Ian

[Plasticman]

feck my computer has crashed at the thought
mm

[Plasticman]

aye and if you have one of the fork typoe that you smack in then beware using that and leaving it in as you smack both sides with said hammers as i have had them fly out and say no m ore
mm

[pirate-pete]

You mean the fork ones can be used as nut splitters too

[Ian Hulley]

*Likes*

[Plasticman]

aye andf they double up as a headacheball
and before you ask i walked under one for months and one day the deck must have been angled a bit different and it was maybe 1/2" lower and i woke up later

mm

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Not having any joy with making do with the tools I have, so going to have to buy another, larger separator.

I should know by now that its never simple...

[SquareBlau]

Are you replacing the ball joint with a new one or just putting it back together after? You may find that shortening the threads (with a grinder/hacksaw) will make the joint small enough to remove with your current splitter, but bear in mind that suspension hardware(nuts and fasteners) must be locked, so if you are re-using the ball joint the nylock part of the nut would have to still have enough threads afterwards.
try you tube t4 ball joint removal:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WbRiydUpSM
about 1min in it shows this because the CV joint stops the nut coming away from the joint, but also allows use of a 'normal' joint splitter
Dave

[SquareBlau]

p.s. it's a while since I had my T3 in bits so I'm not 100% it'll work, just thought it may help
Dave

[chuckle-bus-tom]

They are being replaced. Your idea could work, but the actual fork part of the splitter isn't wide enough! I'm going to ask the garage I use if they have one I can borrow for an hour!

[Ian Hulley]

I keep meaning to get one myself but it's a scissors style that you need ... it puts consistant load on the joint and you can then shock it from the side.

Ian

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Huzzah!

Went to Machine Mart (dear god I love that place!) and bought a 20mm tapered fork and a better suited hammer (a nice square one rather than the hammering in nails type) and had both upper ball joints out within 5 mins of getting home.

One side all back together now, with other to do tomorrow leaving the weekend free to do more!

Thanks all for your input and help.