Team Escargot Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Whats the best method / tool type to split the top ball joints? Advice appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I usually use a bolt and a long nut. Place the nut on the upright, and wind up the bolt. I have cheated slightly and turned the head of the bolt to be slightly "hollow" just to ensure it stays in position... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I used Halford's cheapest, which does a good job here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Hammer. Turn the wheels so you can hit the inside of the top of the upright - you might want to use a solid drift. Support the car in a sensible manner -remove the joint nut. Smack the upright on the side with the hammer / hammer and drift - good, solid blows - might need a couple. Don't hit the joint, top or bottom. The shock releases the taper and it falls out. Works for track rod ends. If you are worried about the finish getting damaged - mine were passivated and show no signs of rust a couple of years later, and it lives outside (currently under several inches of snow - more falling). If you worried about the upright being damaged and will fail - sell the car and buy a tank - it comes under more loading everytime you apply the brakes. Bri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Erhard Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Or...as recommended by others on here - a simultaneous blow from two hammers in opposite directions to the outside of joint (the upright). When you get it right the joint just pops out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I use the scissor type ball joint separator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Chris Wheeler of the 7 workshop does it best - hammer! Just hit the actual upright top part where the ball-joint goes through it with a sharp quick but firm wack to the front... Works every time 😬 Small Boy - with Loud Toy! Co-founder of the BOG Club See Eugene here and see what I do here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Hitting with a hammer didn't work for me , which is why I bought the splitter Edited by - alextangent on 8 Jan 2010 22:24:14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 another vote for scissor type. I've used the forked wedge type before but damaged the dust cover (on a different car). Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 If the hammer isn't working you are not hitting it hard enough 😳 Seriously, it needs to be a sharp, hard hit - never fails! 😬 Small Boy - with Loud Toy! Co-founder of the BOG Club See Eugene here and see what I do here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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