How to fit lower ball joints?

[lewissussex]

HI
following an MOT failure I have today started to strip down the front 'steering knuckles' in order to renew a few bits. One of the failures was a lower ball joint (standard 2WD set up with cranked drop links, on a 1983 Westfalia). My local motor factors, together with 80-90 member Fairwynds have pressed out the old joints but we can find no easy way of pressing in the new ones. Because of the knuckle shape they cannot be simply pressed back in! They were supplied by VW Heritage and are Meyle brand. They seem tighter than the old ones. We are hoping that there may be some tips/hints/tricks out there? Am hoping that by reassembling the knuckle back on the van and using a trolley jack we might be able to squeeze the joint from below?
Anyone done this job? Anyone got any ideas...please? It's been a very very long day an we have run out of ideas!
Thanks all.

[gtavalanche]

I found the easiest way was to remove the boots so you don't damage them. Then use two large sockets (50mm ish) eitherside and a big f**k off press. My local tame mechanic had one made out of a JCB ram. Finished the job in seconds where smaller presses were useless. Also ensure that there is no paint or burrs on the hole.

[lewissussex]

Thanks...I think I follow, will try again tomorrow, with fresh eyes!

[fairwynds]

Wel, Mr Lewissussex, it was quite a day wasn't it! Glad you enjoyed (it that the right word?!) getting stuck into some pretty major works on your van. Hopefully those ball joints will get sorted tomorrow, I have a few ideas to try but will welcome any others from on here

As promised, heres some pics of our days toils.....

Rusty steering knuckle with what's left of your only splash guard! Shiny new parts to be fitted:


....and a bit LESS splash guard on this side!


Calipers both rotten. if you look really closely you can see a tiny bit of bleed nipple left, the rest has rotted away! People....DON'T neglet your nipples, it'll end in tears!


Another day tomorrow, get the job finished and post up the 'shiney' pics !!! night night all...

[Ads1987]

Dido you manage to refit the lower ball joints easily in the end? I'm about to do that job this weekend!

[fairwynds]

Ads, I was doing this with Lewissussex, but not sure if he uses the forum lately, since they moved away from this area. We did get the new joints in, used a friendly local place with a large press and had to fabricate a way of holding the awkward knuckles in place, using steel plates and spacers, whilst the press did it's work.

[Ads1987]

Hmmm, I've got access to a press but was hoping I could just line it up and push it in, what's makes it so difficult?

Is it all just at a bit of a dodgy angle?

Cheers

[CovKid]

Aye, awkward shape. I've put that job back until a sunnier day and when I can catch local garage in a good mood. Be nice if there was a DIY way that worked well. I wonder if they could be pressed in using a vice. Never done one so no idea.

Top ones are really easy. So are wishbone bushes - just need a short length of pipe for those - or big hammer if you enjoy brutal approach.

[Ads1987]

Does it put too much stress on the knuckle to simply just stand it upside down and press the old bearing out?