Upper ball joint removal

[T3teedub]

Just tried to undo the socket-head screws holding the ball joint and the Allen key snapped. This was a quality set and not from PoundLand.
What do you guys use to undo those screws?

[trundletruc]

I use an allen key socket and although they were a bit tight they eventually loosened.

Make sure you have cleaned all the dirty etc from round the bolts where they mate on the top wishbone and wire brushed the threads underneath. Also make sure there is no birt in the allen fey hole although if you have broken yours off you must have had plenty of purchase. Then soak with penetrating oil on top, under and everywhere! Then leave for a bit.

If you can't get them out after this then you will have to carefully grind the heads off and change the ball joints.

I used copper grease when I put them back.

[T3teedub]

Cheers. I must admit I was a bit impatient and didn't give the penetrating oil a fair chance.
Actually, I am not even sure I need to replace the ball joint but have bit of clatter on pot-holes. Wheel bearing replacement made some improvement but nearside is still noisey on bad roads whereas off-side is fine. I have bought upper and lower joints plus full set of ant-roll-bar rubbers. Shocks were replaced a few months back. I suppose it is possible I have a dodgy shock absorber. Swapping them around may eliminate that possibilty.

[bennwedge]

ive just done this little job, they can be a right bitch, i manged to get 3 of the bolts off after giving them a good clean, a spray of wd40, a quality allenkey and a electric heat gun to crack the threads. but the forth bolt had to be grinded off as a previous owner had rounded the head.

[garyd]

I ended up using 18" stilson grips on the outside of the heads together with an allen socket on the inside. Someone had previously had a go with a cold chisel with apparent success.

On the question of rattle through pot holes, have you also checked the track rod ends and the track rods themselves? On mine the ball joint where the trackrods meet the rack were badly shot - someone had even had a go a lessening the slop in one by beating it with a hammer!!!"

good luck
Gary

[T3teedub]

ive just done this little job, they can be a right bitch, i manged to get 3 of the bolts off after giving them a good clean, a spray of wd40, a quality allenkey and a electric heat gun to crack the threads. but the forth bolt had to be grinded off as a previous owner had rounded the head.

I shall look forward to that then.

[/quote]

[T3teedub]

I ended up using 18" stilson grips on the outside of the heads together with an allen socket on the inside. Someone had previously had a go with a cold chisel with apparent success.

On the question of rattle through pot holes, have you also checked the track rod ends and the track rods themselves? On mine the ball joint where the trackrods meet the rack were badly shot - someone had even had a go a lessening the slop in one by beating it with a hammer!!!"

good luck
Gary

The steering is spot on really. I can't detect any movement in the track rod end and even had a local garage check it over. They though it was in excellent condition. But I may well undo it to do a thorough check.
Cheers,