Splitting ball

The wedge ball joint splitting tools are useless IME, unless your aim is to split the rubber gaiter. You tend to need a scissors type splitter to get these undone.

What car is it, or more specifically is the balljoint attached to or integral with the end of the wishbone (most common) or part of the upright?

Get two hammers, 1 big one, 1 smaller one.

Hold the big hammer directly against the metal of the upright inline with the middle of the ball joint taper. Hit the otherside of the upright inline with the first hammer. The shock will "ring" between the hammers, and the taper will just fall out!


Works every time (as long as you can get access to the taper for a hammer swing). for "split" taper joints on which a bolt is used to nip up the joint, generally using a wedge to open the joint it more effective.

as above but get someone with a long bar to lever lower arm fron upright

I read that with some cynicism, and it took a few attempts manoeuvring the hammers into the right place, but all went exactly as you wrote. Fantastic

I'll look at getting a scissor type splitter anyway, as it looks very effective for tight spots.

Thanks all, job jobbed

Dont bother ball joint splitters they are a waste of time and never needed, just get a decent sized hammer and keep hitting the housing that the taper goes into, the ball joint will just pop out.

I have been a mechanic for 20 years and never had a problem with this method yet.