Separating top ball joint... won't budge!
Discussion
Ok, top balljoints on front... trying to replace and wishbones. Only can't get the bloody joint to separate. Tried the normal 'pickle-fork' chisel, with and without heat (hot water first, then a gas torch... carefully). And yes the nut is off the back (joint is still loosely attached to the wishbone to stop it flying). How brutal do I have to get? 
Help!!!!
Help!!!!
If it doesnt go with the splitter, i'm afraid you have to get just a little more brutal than you feel comfortable with.
If this doesnt work, smack the fek out of it.
kim
edited to add: I have always found the splitters which have a jacking bolt in them far more effective than the ones you have to hit.
Hope this helps.
>> Edited by slikk on Thursday 18th May 16:34
If this doesnt work, smack the fek out of it.
kim
edited to add: I have always found the splitters which have a jacking bolt in them far more effective than the ones you have to hit.
Hope this helps.
>> Edited by slikk on Thursday 18th May 16:34
Well, getting close to destroying the joint now and it's not budged a gnat's 
Nightmare
I'm thinking I may try and remove the turret it locates in from the hub carrier ('just' loosen the pinch bolt and it'll drop out, right?) and drive the joint out from beneath whilst on the bench.
If all else fails, what is the upright off? Looks Fordish.
97 Chim if that makes any difference.
>> Edited by pupp on Thursday 18th May 18:59
Nightmare I'm thinking I may try and remove the turret it locates in from the hub carrier ('just' loosen the pinch bolt and it'll drop out, right?) and drive the joint out from beneath whilst on the bench.
If all else fails, what is the upright off? Looks Fordish.
97 Chim if that makes any difference.
>> Edited by pupp on Thursday 18th May 18:59
Ok, now have the upright off the car and stipped out completely, apart from the friggin top ball joint 
I've tried a variety of splitters and all I am succeeding in doing is destroying the swivelling part of the joint (the bit that clamps into the wishbone). I've tried removing the receiving turret from the upright but that won't withdraw as there is weld overhanging on both ends (I think the 'fin' that guides the brake hose must have been tacked in after the tureet was clamped), and I daren't spread the thing too far in case it fractures. Really am getting peed off with this now so all ideas appreciated.
Just wondering if it would go in a press and how it could be held
I've tried a variety of splitters and all I am succeeding in doing is destroying the swivelling part of the joint (the bit that clamps into the wishbone). I've tried removing the receiving turret from the upright but that won't withdraw as there is weld overhanging on both ends (I think the 'fin' that guides the brake hose must have been tacked in after the tureet was clamped), and I daren't spread the thing too far in case it fractures. Really am getting peed off with this now so all ideas appreciated.
Just wondering if it would go in a press and how it could be held
Pupp,
Just a thought, but (if your missus is out) put the whole lot in the freezer overnight? I'd guess that they'd have differing rates of expansion/contraction so if you get the joint and carrier nice and cold the joint may shrink just enough? If it doesn't go at 1st, 2nd 3rd attempt.......try and heat the joint up until it's scorchio......and try again!
I had a similar problem with an Alfa hub, ended up with red hot hubs before I could separate them......
Only other thing would be to try and get hold of an Enerpac of the correct dimensions and jack the sucker out......we've used them in conjunction with heat and sledgehammers at work!
Just a thought, but (if your missus is out) put the whole lot in the freezer overnight? I'd guess that they'd have differing rates of expansion/contraction so if you get the joint and carrier nice and cold the joint may shrink just enough? If it doesn't go at 1st, 2nd 3rd attempt.......try and heat the joint up until it's scorchio......and try again!
I had a similar problem with an Alfa hub, ended up with red hot hubs before I could separate them......
Only other thing would be to try and get hold of an Enerpac of the correct dimensions and jack the sucker out......we've used them in conjunction with heat and sledgehammers at work!
Cheers for that... guess heat/cold will be the key. Have had it pretty warm and tried freezing sprays but sticking in the freezer is a good tip. Watch the bugger shatter when I belt it tomorrow!
Think as a failsafe, I'll trot it in to a local lorry depot and see if they have a suitable cup splitter that will fit. A load of pressure on the rear of the joint and a hefty whack is the way forward I reckon. I hope
Think as a failsafe, I'll trot it in to a local lorry depot and see if they have a suitable cup splitter that will fit. A load of pressure on the rear of the joint and a hefty whack is the way forward I reckon. I hope
Probably not a lot of help if you've got it all stripped off the car, but for stubborn joints I have a 5ft long steel bar, locate it in the suspension such that it's putting a load on the balljoint (as though to seperate the taper) then stand on the bar, gently bouncing up and down - now take a hammer and while gently rocking, give good sharp hits on the hub carrier perpendicular to the joint as you are on the "down" stroke of the bounce!
Oh - and have the other hand resting on something, or when it goes pop (which I've yet to have one not do) you will end up lying on your face on the floor!!!
Oh - and have the other hand resting on something, or when it goes pop (which I've yet to have one not do) you will end up lying on your face on the floor!!!
So you've got the upright off, you've undone the ball joint nut and you've put it in a heavy vice upside down, put a long solid metal bar down in contact with the thread of the ball joint and you've walloped the bar with a BIG hammer?
If that didn't work I'd break the ball joint out of the socket and angle grind some flats on it and try turning the thing a little to free it.
Best of luck, it's a real pain when this type of thing happens
>> Edited by David H on Saturday 20th May 01:33
If that didn't work I'd break the ball joint out of the socket and angle grind some flats on it and try turning the thing a little to free it.
Best of luck, it's a real pain when this type of thing happens
>> Edited by David H on Saturday 20th May 01:33
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff