Ball joints!??

[jamiholzbach]

What type/size hammer do you use to separate the ball joints from the struts? And where do you hit it? If someone has pics or a video, please post it! I'm not giving $400 to a mechanic to do something that I could do myself!

[jlevie]

A hand sledge and a pickle fork should work.

[Sputnik]

Harbor frieght also sells a ball joint removal tool...sooo much easier than a pickle fork

[jamiholzbach]

I tried that...

I beat the crap out of the pickle fork over three weekends when I was trying to put my drop hats on. They just would not separate. So I went to a local mechanic to have it done and it cost me $400 in labor. I've seen it done a long time ago where they just took a big hammer and smacked the strut housing near the ball joint and it just popped apart, and I was hoping someone on here could show/tell me how to do that.

[StereoInstaller1]

I beat the crap out of the pickle fork over three weekends when I was trying to put my drop hats on. They just would not separate. So I went to a local mechanic to have it done and it cost me $400 in labor. I've seen it done a long time ago where they just took a big hammer and smacked the strut housing near the ball joint and it just popped apart, and I was hoping someone on here could show/tell me how to do that.

That is exactly how to do it.

2 things: since you are a noob at this, make sure you have a buddy.

How you hit it matters. The goal is a "shock" type of hit...dunno how to describe it, but it is a "pop", not like hammering a nail.

Second, go get a fairly long prybar and wedge it so it is applying stress to the balljoint, but on the control arm, not on the joint itself. Have your buddy apply force while you whack it.

Make sure to put the nut partially back on so there is no chance of whacking the threads.

Remember too, when putting it back together, put your jack under the ball joint and press it into place so you can tighten the nut properly.

This shit ain't rocket science, go kick its ass.

Luke

[dkbmxer002]

one side on my car took hours of major man handling and smashing (i'm a decently large guy too) and the other side took only like 3 whacks.

[redhatpat]

Just use the proper tool for the job, a ball joint removal tool. There's a few different kinds, but the one below works the best. I picked mine up for just $30. And it will get used a few times so it's well worth just buying one yourself.



Like shown in the pic, put the nut back on to protect the threads when you screw it down on the ball joint.

A pickle fork works (most of the time) but it will fuck up the ball joint boot. This tool won't damage the boot.

[jamiholzbach]

where didya get that?

Is that available from harbor freight?

[jamiholzbach]

Thanks for the replies...

Thanks guys, I'm gonna try the pry bar & BFH method first, while I try to source that item that Redhatpat recommended.

[CorvallisBMW]

Just use the proper tool for the job, a ball joint removal tool. There's a few different kinds, but the one below works the best. I picked mine up for just $30. And it will get used a few times so it's well worth just buying one yourself.



Like shown in the pic, put the nut back on to protect the threads when you screw it down on the ball joint.

A pickle fork works (most of the time) but it will fuck up the ball joint boot. This tool won't damage the boot.

These things are the SHIT. Easiest, fastest and safest way to remove a balljoint period. For $30 it will save you hours of headaches.

[rightcoastbias]

/thread. :up:

[bme30]

Simple and effective