Ball joint removal

[SuperRedMR2]

Hi all, I'm replacing my bottom ball joints.

Undone the bolts and nuts. However the thread / stud is stuck in the suspension arm hole. I've walloped it with a hammer and all sorts and it will not budge.

Even with levering it up the ball joint will not come out.

Any ideas? I was considering cutting it off but ill have to take the discs off, I'd rather not do it. Do this all over again but will if I have to.

Cheers

[Peter Gidden]

I presume you're referring to the taper. Ball joint splitter is what you need.

[Lauren]

Not sure if this is what others might recommend, but I've done a few by jacking up the disc to get tension on it, loosen the nut but don't take it off the top then whack it on the side. Generally found the joint popped out of the hub hole that way.

Then just unbolt the ball joint from the lower arm. Didn't need a splitter that way.

[SuperRedMR2]

Not sure if this is what others might recommend, but I've done a few by jacking up the disc to get tension on it, loosen the nut but don't take it off the top then whack it on the side. Generally found the joint popped out of the hub hole that way.

Then just unbolt the ball joint from the lower arm. Didn't need a splitter that way.

Mine is stuck in the lower arm

[un1eash]

You need a bigger hammer.

[Lauren]

Club hammer as a minimum. Lots of Plusgas and a big whack.

[scomr2]

To be crystal what I think Lauren is suggesting is to hit the side of the wishbone adjacent to the ball joint taper. Don't hit the ball joint nut or you will bend the threaded part.

I've used this method and although it sounds strange it does work.

Simon.

[SuperRedMR2]

Basically hit the arm so hard it vibrates loose the ball joint

[scomr2]

Yeah something like that. It helps if the arm is off the car so that you can rest it on something solid like an anvil but technique should still work on the car.

[IanClements]

I remember when I used a sledgehammer to do this. Two years bad handling later and the control arm got replaced because it was ever so slightly bent.

I now own a ball joint splitter.

[SuperRedMR2]

I can't get either of the bolts off that hold the lower arm on

I can get replacement arms if I bend them. Chances are I'll have to get em off anyway as my bushes are perished.

[elbon50]

One long bolt holding inboard end of track control arm, easy to remove

Two short bolts holding balljoint at outboard end to hub, easy to remove

22mm nut holding trailing arm to track control arm, requires deep socket

Lay removed track control arm / balljoint on it's side on an anvil or similar

Hit side of track control arm adjacent to balljoint taper with heaviest hammer available (ideally sledge hammer)

Recently done both my rears

[SuperRedMR2]

Thanks Peter, but i'm not that retarded that I need to be told what sockets I require to get the bolts and nuts off.

[BIGBOBO]

If you get a ball joint splitter make sure it is large enough. I got one but it was to small and I had to grind of the ball itself so only the rod was left.

Shops were closed that day.

Also make sure there's nothing fragile behind the ball joint., they tend to pop out at high speed, mine missed the glass door of our porch by half an inch.

[elbon50]

Thanks Peter, but i'm not that retarded that I need to be told what sockets I require to get the bolts and nuts off.

Just explaining how I did it

It works

You do need it laid on something solid when you hit it though

[elbon50]

Also make sure there's nothing fragile behind the ball joint., they tend to pop out at high speed, mine missed the glass door of our porch by half an inch.

Best to leave the nut on the balljoint, backed off a few threads

Then they don't fly off

[BIGBOBO]

Then they don't fly off

I'm a much wiser man now, with better tools .

[elbon50]

Then they don't fly off

I'm a much wiser man now, with better tools .

lol

Could you post a picture of the large balljoint splitter please

[SuperRedMR2]

I'm picking up my ball joint separator on the way home so will have go with that.

[SuperRedMR2]

It didn't work - it won't come out

Maybe a heavy duty jaw puller will work?