Options for dropping front ball joints

[Stu]

I need to swap springs/shocks between my brothers 325 and my 318. This is not a problem, done it many times, but I have one dilemma.

I've always used a tie-rod end puller to disconnect the ball joints, but it has been misplaced recently, so I only have a pickel fork to work with. It seems that the pickel fork will rip/tear the ball-joint dust boots everytime. This isn't a concern for my car, as I have BMP replacement boot-covers. However, I don't want to trash the dust boots on my brothers car.

My questions:
1) Is there a trick to using the pickel fork that won't tear the boots?
2) Is there another method I can use that won't damage the boots?

I don't have the $$ to buy another tie-rod end puller, so that's out of the question.


Any input is appreciated, thanks.

[Jordan]

Hammer on the strut housing around the taper fitting. A few good whacks will loosen it. Works every time for me.

If that fails thread a spare nut onto the tierod just enough to protect the thread, and whack on the nut.

[trent]

Hammer on the strut housing around the taper fitting. A few good whacks will loosen it. Works every time for me.

If that fails thread a spare nut onto the tierod just enough to protect the thread, and whack on the nut.

This works every time -- no ripped boots. :)

This is exactly what the pro's do:)

[Stu]

Hammer on the strut housing around the taper fitting. A few good whacks will loosen it. Works every time for me.

Just the trick I needed. So hammer on those little 'ears' at the bottom of the housing? I will give it a shot. Yea---be a good idea to spin the nuts on a few turns for safety sake.

[Chris325/325i]

Also jack up the strut housing a few inches, when it is hanging down there is more sideways pressure holding the balljoints in place. Give them a few smacks on the side of the housing, jack it up a few inches, another couple of smacks and they should just drop right out.

[Bill 84 318i]

Yeah, what they said.

Be careful with the 'whacking on the nut' method though - I've fucked up the threads enough to be stranded without a tie rod before.

[Stu]

Yeah, what they said.

Be careful with the 'whacking on the nut' method though - I've fucked up the threads enough to be stranded without a tie rod before.

That was my main concern, when Jordan first mentioned the hammering method. Thanks for the input guys!

[Digitalwave]

Yeah, what they said.

Be careful with the 'whacking on the nut' method though - I've fucked up the threads enough to be stranded without a tie rod before.

Same here. And I even had a nut on the end to keep from messing the tops up... well it made it worse, the nut just mangled the threads that it was threaded to.

[Jordan]

How far are you guys threading the nut on?

I thread it on until it is even with the tierod threads at the top, then back it off about 1mm.

There is no way you are messing up the threads like that...

[Skafrog]

This is exactly what the pro's do:)

Yup. Just hit the shit out of it, it will come out. If its being a bitch, spray some PB and then hit the shit out of it again.
BTW:
The current record is 2 hits :D

[Bill 84 318i]

How far are you guys threading the nut on?

I thread it on until it is even with the tierod threads at the top, then back it off about 1mm.

There is no way you are messing up the threads like that...

Same as you.

[boom-monkey]

Kinda on the same topic. Right now I've got my 318is up on jackstands and the ball joint that bolts to the subframe just will not budge on either side. I've used a picklefork and a prybar as well as a 20" 1/2" rachet extension with an SAE (useless) socket and tryed to hammer it out from the top of the engine bay. Anyone got a secret that they use to get these joints out other than what I've been doing?

[Spaz]

Kinda on the same topic. Right now I've got my 318is up on jackstands and the ball joint that bolts to the subframe just will not budge on either side. I've used a picklefork and a prybar as well as a 20" 1/2" rachet extension with an SAE (useless) socket and tryed to hammer it out from the top of the engine bay. Anyone got a secret that they use to get these joints out other than what I've been doing?

is the othe ball joint and control arm bushing all off the vehicle?
if not it will tend to hold up the arm, not allowing the pickle fork to seperate it from the body yet.

let us know how you make out.

[boom-monkey]

Yes, I have taken the bushings off the car and there are no struts in the car. Also the I took the nut off the balljoint that goes through he subframe. I know that nothing else is holding it on except that it's obviosuly just stuck in the hole. So what kind of persuasion should I use to dislodge it?

[Avus_325is]

Watch the bang the shit out of it method, just knocked the ball joint out of my buddy's car yesterday.