Top Ball Joint Nitemare....

[neutral 3]

Trying to change the right top ball joint , but the Halfords / Laser fork type separator is way too narrow , any ideas which / Whos separator is needed ?

[BIGMIKE1]

I changed all the front ball joints on mine earlier this year, didn't use a splitter, usually a good smack with the hammer is enough to break them free.

[neutral 3]

Hi Bigmike , thanks for your reply. Looks like this is an Original joint , have tried the hammer on it but it won't budge ! I still have the other side to do as well.

I took the Halfords seperator back , but that's the widest one they do. Gutted , wanted to use the beast today and tomorrow !

[gavgavgav]

By fork type I think you mean the ones that are a wedge that you hammer in, that did not work for me either, it just mangeled the top ball joint. I used the screw type in the bolt, it worked BUT it comes off with one hell of a bang.

[ray von]

neutral 3 said:

Hi Bigmike , thanks for your reply. Looks like this is an Original joint , have tried the hammer on it but it won't budge ! I still have the other side to do as well.

I took the Halfords seperator back , but that's the widest one they do. Gutted , wanted to use the beast today and tomorrow !

Not teaching you to suck eggs but you are hitting the adaptor on the hub with the hammer and not just thraping the joint aren't you

[neutral 3]

Gav Gav, what type of Screw separator did you use ? As the usual type isn't large enough to go over the hub on these things.

[gavgavgav]

neutral 3 said:

Gav Gav, what type of Screw separator did you use ? As the usual type isn't large enough to go over the hub on these things.

I can't remember exactly which one I used (was a while ago), it was something like this;

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

managed to get purchase on the hub carrer somewhere and used an old socket to extend up to the end of the bolt.

[Barreti]

The best trick I've found for separating a ball joint is to undo the nut but leave it just attached, use a long bar under the arm to apply pressure as if trying to pry it open and give the joint a really hard smack on the side with a hammer. It will ping apart.

I dont remember the last time I used a splitter and I've done half a dozen track rod ends on various cars in the last year.

[Pupp]

Try the two hammer trick... rest one against the side of the cone that receivs the joint's tapered peg, then whack hat hammer with another. Eye protection needed but satisfyingly mediaeval.

Idea is to minutely distort the cone so it releases its grip

Separating these buggers is the only job where I've ever had to go buy a bigger hammer!

[Aussie John]

Ahhh! hammers, my favourite tools!

[Barreti]

There is one missing John. Was that in use at the time of the photo or do you just carry one around now and then to share the love around?

What an odd thing to collect. I worry about you!

[Tavan]

Usually best technique is to shock the taper undone by smacking the ball joint housing from opposite sides (with two hammers) at the same time. Can help to get some tension in there with a fork tool as well. They will generally just pop out. Having said that the near side front top ball joint on my Griff wouldn't respond to any attempt to shift it in situ. Resorted to removing upright from car, released taper housing by undoing pinch bolt and driving the housing out of the upright. Then drifted the ball joint out of the housing. It was a barsteward! Other side gave up with little resistance.

[Aussie John]

Hi Ian, the one missing is in the tool box [but the big ones are in the shed] As the old saying goes, "If you can't fix it with a hammer it must be an electrical problem"

[neutral 3]

Thanks for all of the replys, the ruddy joint still won't come out, tried another fork and heat , so ime taking the hub off now .