Ball joint stuck

[Oddesy]

I was changing my wishbones at the weekend but my ball joints are stuck, I got the pinch bolts out which were an absolute nightmare, but cant budge the ball joints, I need a splitter but don't know which type to go for, does anyone know if I'm better off with a fork type or the threaded separator type?

Cheers

 

[Amos91]

I was changing my wishbones at the weekend but my ball joints are stuck, I got the pinch bolts out which were an absolute nightmare, but cant budge the ball joints, I need a splitter but don't know which type to go for, does anyone know if I'm better off with a fork type or the threaded separator type?

Cheers

I would go for the fork, not much room for the threaded ones.

 

[lancecup]

if your replacing the ball joint anyway go for the fork and your biggest hammer

 

[HG182]

if your replacing the ball joint anyway go for the fork and your biggest hammer

THIS

 

[Oddesy]

Cool, fork it is, yeah I have new wishbones to go on with the ball joints attached so I don't care if i damage the ball joints, they've already been on fire. They've already felt the full force of my hammer but they haven't budged.

Any specific size of fork or will any do the job?

 

[lancecup]

I didn't even know they came in different sizes lol. I just use a cheap one (think it might be laser) that i have had for years. The most important thing is the hammer if your using a normal claw hammer it can be a right PITA where as a decent size dead blow hammer will get it off in a couple of taps

 

[Oddesy]

I saw a couple of sizes when i was looking about. I've got a decent sized lump hammer which will do the trick

 

[Amos91]

There is a long winded alternative... firstly try and prise the pinch section on the hub open a little.

Then if you basically remove the hub/driveshaft (shock bolts, track rod ends) and also the two bolts holding the ball joint into the wishbone you will then be able to access the ball joint from the top. You can then wack it with a punch / hummer.

 

[Coops Mk1]

the pinch prise is always a winner, don't need to remove anything to try that, just get a big flat head screwdriver or chisel and smack that into the crack with the trusty lump hammer

this should splay the pinch part of the hub and crack the ball joint out no worries, always worked for me on even the most stubborn buggers

 

[Brigsy]

Belt it on the underside so the balljoint goes up a little and frees off the rust, bit of plus gas penetrating oil, old flat ended screwdriver to open the slot up a little then belt it out. 5 mins job done

 

[Oddesy]

@Coops Mk1 @Brigsy tried both of these for a good hour, wouldn't budge, ill get myself a fork and see how i get on with that

 

[Brigsy]

Use a bigger hammer and hit it harder.

 

[Oddesy]

Sledgehammer?

 

[Louis]

Breaker bar under wishbone and then subframe. Push down and hit the side of the hub.

 

[hipwell]

Fork and a hammer did me fine, just be prepared to knacker the old ball joint boot.

 

[Oddesy]

Got new ball joints so not bothered about damaging it