Ball joint separator tool
Discussion
Hi,
Can someone please recommend a ball joint separator tool - I attempted to change my control arms today’s but the Draper tool I bought had jaws that weren’t wide enough to get over the dust boot - here’s the tool here:
https://www.drapertools.com/product/13914/Ball-Joi...
I only paid 15 quid for it but still a waste of money - it doesn’t seem that well made.
I tried for ages to get it to fit but couldn’t see any way:
Can someone please recommend a ball joint separator tool - I attempted to change my control arms today’s but the Draper tool I bought had jaws that weren’t wide enough to get over the dust boot - here’s the tool here:
https://www.drapertools.com/product/13914/Ball-Joi...
I only paid 15 quid for it but still a waste of money - it doesn’t seem that well made.
I tried for ages to get it to fit but couldn’t see any way:
Undo the nut etc, if you can apply a lever on the arm somewhere for some downward pressure, all the better.
And hammer in the side of the hub where the joint passes through to help release it. Very rarely does this fail and you will not harm the boot.
Often specific tools seem to be poor at the job they're supposed to do !
And hammer in the side of the hub where the joint passes through to help release it. Very rarely does this fail and you will not harm the boot.
Often specific tools seem to be poor at the job they're supposed to do !
You might need a fork type and hammer. Are you replacing it? As they always get mullered so I’d plan to replace
https://www.screwfix.com/p/laser-fork-ball-joint-s...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/laser-fork-ball-joint-s...
I have one of these....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182499078641?_trkparms=...
(Holy thread link batman). Very good tool.
Sometimes it struggles, so I do it up as hard as I dare, and then welly it with a lump hammer. Or sometimes I welly the hub where the ball joint goes through, either work.
Or sometimes I use one of these.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283796500284?_trkparms=...
Get someone to put as much force as they can one it, and then bash hell out of the lower bit of the hub where the ball joint goes through.
I prefer the hydraulic ball joint separator, as I feel that beating things with a hammer has only som much sophistication, but whatever gets the job done. They will pop off with a huge bang though. Quite satisfying.
With the tool you have, clamp it on as you are able, and then welly the joint with the hammer. One like this....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262745179762?epid=15301...
Best of luck.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182499078641?_trkparms=...
(Holy thread link batman). Very good tool.
Sometimes it struggles, so I do it up as hard as I dare, and then welly it with a lump hammer. Or sometimes I welly the hub where the ball joint goes through, either work.
Or sometimes I use one of these.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283796500284?_trkparms=...
Get someone to put as much force as they can one it, and then bash hell out of the lower bit of the hub where the ball joint goes through.
I prefer the hydraulic ball joint separator, as I feel that beating things with a hammer has only som much sophistication, but whatever gets the job done. They will pop off with a huge bang though. Quite satisfying.
With the tool you have, clamp it on as you are able, and then welly the joint with the hammer. One like this....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262745179762?epid=15301...
Best of luck.
Thanks all, good advice - I'd actually forgotten about hitting it with a lump hammer... this guy does it (same car as mine in the video) at 2:34 in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbTW3gY3JHM&li...
Just not sure my aim is as good as that...
I'm actually replacing it so it doesn't matter if it gets a bit messed up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbTW3gY3JHM&li...
Just not sure my aim is as good as that...
I'm actually replacing it so it doesn't matter if it gets a bit messed up
Hi all, always prefer to resurrect an old thread rather than start a million new ones but couldn't quite find right answer on the searches...
Have used mates manual scissor type in the past and got on ok in most cases, but am kicking off a restoration so am thinking will need a few types of splitter/separators along the way, there are some cheap kits on Amazon link but my guess is they are just that, cheap and probably won't last.
Any nice midrange kits or pieces of kit around people can recommend? I tried looking for a magazine product review type thingy but came up blanks.
Have used mates manual scissor type in the past and got on ok in most cases, but am kicking off a restoration so am thinking will need a few types of splitter/separators along the way, there are some cheap kits on Amazon link but my guess is they are just that, cheap and probably won't last.
Any nice midrange kits or pieces of kit around people can recommend? I tried looking for a magazine product review type thingy but came up blanks.
intergraleevo said:
Hi all, always prefer to resurrect an old thread rather than start a million new ones but couldn't quite find right answer on the searches...
Have used mates manual scissor type in the past and got on ok in most cases, but am kicking off a restoration so am thinking will need a few types of splitter/separators along the way, there are some cheap kits on Amazon link but my guess is they are just that, cheap and probably won't last.
Any nice midrange kits or pieces of kit around people can recommend? I tried looking for a magazine product review type thingy but came up blanks.
A lot depends on specific joint, how much access etc etc. In most cases, whacking the side of the joints tapered "home" with a hammer, is as good a release tool as any. I wouldn't usually hammer the threaded part unless it was being replaced. Even then, often hitting the side, works better anywayHave used mates manual scissor type in the past and got on ok in most cases, but am kicking off a restoration so am thinking will need a few types of splitter/separators along the way, there are some cheap kits on Amazon link but my guess is they are just that, cheap and probably won't last.
Any nice midrange kits or pieces of kit around people can recommend? I tried looking for a magazine product review type thingy but came up blanks.
E-bmw said:
Very good, well done, alas they will only work with that precise arrangement of opposing ball joints.
Exactly, very limited usage as not often you get two aligned like that these days. And hitting the side of the carrier is often more efficient anyway.It'd never work on the steering arm balljoint
I've used tools before that apply force on the threaded part, and they generally only work alone if the part has been apart recently. In about 99% of cases though, there still needs to be that impact/shock to release them.
I have to admit that in over 40 years of part-time mechanicing I have only ever used one tool for separating ball joints.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-245033-Hardwoo...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-245033-Hardwoo...
I need to get the pitman arm off my T2 steering box, I tried my scissor type splitter but the jaws aren't wide enough, have bought these but not had a chance to try them yet. Will let you know if they are any good or not.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cht702-3-pi...
For general ball joints, downward pressure and a smack from a pair of lump hammers either side has worked for me previously.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cht702-3-pi...
For general ball joints, downward pressure and a smack from a pair of lump hammers either side has worked for me previously.
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