Club 80-90 Forums

HI all,
im currently travelling around in spain and portugal for 3 months, only problem a few weeks ago was the clutch slave cylinder popped making a bit of a mess- luckily, that happenen about 100metres away from a great parts shop so i got that all sorted out in front of a friendly man's business forecourt. victory!

now ive had some squealing from the front suspension while slow cornering, and spotted at least 3 split boots on the ball joints. including one top ball joint, 2 lowers, and a steering tie-rod ball. so ive packed them with grease and gaffer taped around the boots and its quietened down fine, and i cant feel any play in them yet. i figure this'll be alright for a while if i keep an eye on them.

so after some reading, i need a ball joint separator. i dont have access to a blow torch, and dont really want to go that route with DIY! bit beyond me at the moment. so do i need some kind of press to put the lower joints in? or not? is the separator and a lot of anti-seize stuff all i need in regards that particular job? do i need to take off the steering knuckles completely from the van? are the lower balls (!?) as hard to shift as ive read? are the brickwerks ones (the OEM's) worth it? i have the haynes and bentley, but i know sometimes they can over or under egg certain jobs sometimes!

id love to do this one myself, im just not stacked with specialist tools (though i do have all of the basics and a bit more), or a workshop!

cheers,
john.

don't normally use a splitter just shock them out of the upright,
tops are easy, bottoms a press helps but a big fo hammer and suitable support may work to get them out ,you really want a press and tools to fit the new bottom ones as they can be easily damaged, the retaining clip will have rusted to nothing so buy new ones not included with ball joints and yes the oem ones are well worth it on a 2wd they will last another 20 years

Good morning,if you can't feel any play i'd be inclined to wait untill you get home,however i have bought a top ball joint at my local spares shop[and replaced it with the help of a local mecanic with a big hammer!!].
If your near me i could help.

thanks guys, and also for the offer of help. ill probbaly wait till i return in august for this- and in the meantime have further reading on the procedure! it would make sense to have all my stuff available on hand, instead of the tool bag thats in the van right now. will keep a check on them!
thanks again,
john.