Top ball joint -stuck

[pbaker43]

Today was start day of replacing the bushes and ball joints ready for the summer in the mountains, what a PITA to get the old bolts out, has no one heard of copper grease?

I have taken the nut of the top ball joint applied every release agent I can find, then used a joint splitter (fork type) to apply separation pressure, using a bar on the inside, picked up the ‘Birmingham screw driver’ smacked seven shades of s**t out it and still no movement. (see photo

It is time for the gas bottles or am I missing some thing??

[Pupp]

I'm impressed you've separated the turret from the hub carrier

As for getting the joint out, best method I know is to clout the side of the turret - idea is to slightly deform the internal tapered socket so that it releases its grip on the joint post. One good sharp accurate belt

[pbaker43]

Hi Pupp I was smacking the inside of the turret, I used a round steel bar just smaller than the hole for the bottom pin, using a 4lb hammer I was swinging (not the sex type) away like a good one, but still the b****d will not move and all that smacking is how the turret came out.

I also have a problem with the bottom shock bolt got the nut off but the bolt is sized solid, suppose I will have to hacksaw the bolt on the inside of the lugs to get that bugger out… oh the joy.

[Pupp]

Suspect you might be misunderstanding where I suggest you clout. On your pic, belt the cone just 'above' the rubber shroud ie on the side - you are not trying to drive the post out directly but trying to get the casting to relax its grip

[pbaker43]

Hi Pupp Where you suggest to hit, I used a ball joint splitter the fork type and wedged it in, then hit like hell, after I used the hammer to smack the side of the cone to see if that would shock the release, but good. I think I may try some heat to the cone drive the fork in again and hit the pin from the inside. If that fails I will cut the head off and drill out the center to weaken the grip, hope it is not hardened steel.
Thanks for your help

[V8NRG]

I had the same two problems while taking mine apart. Ended up buying a new balljoint mount as it just would not separate. Had to hacksaw the shock bolt on the inside of the lugs, as you have suggested.

[V8NRG]

I had the same two problems while taking mine apart. Ended up buying a new balljoint mount as it just would not separate. Had to hacksaw the shock bolt on the inside of the lugs, as you have suggested.

[pbaker43]

V8NRG where can I buy another turret from if I need one, I live in France so I can not nip down the road ?

[Pupp]

Now that I think of it, this was the only job I have ever specifically had to go out and buy a bigger hammer for! It'll split...

[Barkychoc]

Cut the black rubber away thats absorbing most of the force.

[V8NRG]

I bought the new ball joint adapter from - www.racetechdirect.co.uk
Although i cant seem to find it on there web site anymore ?

From memory it was £68 for one.

[MisterT]

Clamp the turret into a vice on the shiny cylindrical section in your picture, use soft jaws so you dont damage the surface. Take a lump hammer and hold it against the tapered part of the turret and then on the opposite side take a decent size ball pein or similar hammer and give the turret taper a good whack, then as Pupp says if you get it right (and it should only need one well aimed whack) the ball joint taper will come loose straight away.

[pbaker43]

Well Sunday night I went to the garage to give that joint one last session of hammering 7 shades of poo out if it, but it was me who got the hammering.

One lapse of concentration and the 3lb lump hammer at full force hit my first finger and completely crushed the joint behind the nail. At the moment of impact I thought I had chopped the end off my finger, the pain was immense making me feel sick. As MisterT said ‘ a well aimed whack’, that it was. Sat all evening with my finger in a cup of ice and visited the hospital Monday, to confirm what I knew. The end of my finger looks like it has been dipped in ink.

I finally got the pin out last night. I did as Barkychoc suggested, I cut the rubber off and by using the gas bottles and the fork again heated the turret, the pin finally let go.
Burned out the inner bushes as well using the gas bottles, quicker than drilling through all that rubber, now for cutting the outer part of the bush with a hacksaw, ready for a clean some paint and rebuild.

Thank you to all of you who forwarded suggestions.

[phillpot]

pbaker43 said:

Burned out the inner bushes as well using the gas bottles, quicker than drilling through all that rubber, now for cutting the outer part of the bush with a hacksaw, ready for a clean some paint and rebuild.

Thank you to all of you who forwarded suggestions.

Are you fitting "poly" bushes or original style, sore finger permitting I'd like the measurements of original bushes if possible?
Really just outer diameter, inner I can work from diameter of bolt and length I can probably measure without removing wishbone.
Thanks, and hope finger gets better soon

[pbaker43]

Hi phillpot,
When I go to the garage end of the week I will measure the bushes best I can with photos.

[Pupp]

Glad it's apart. Fingers are in finite supply!