Stuck Ball Joint Taper

[Ben_D]

Tried to split an upper ball joint today to replace upper arm bushes only to find that it is totally stuck on its taper in the upper wishbone. Joint not been on more than about a month.

Tried the BFH which has so far worked on all other balljoints. Any one had one of these that will simply not come off? I've hit as hard as I dare (worried about damaging wishbone) but reluctant to use a splitter for fear of damaging boot.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Managed to change one side of upper arm bushes, fairly easy job but new Superpros needed pressed in.

Cheers

Ben

[Wolfracer]

A little heat if you can?
Then use a splitter. I struggled with the BJ on the original steering damper for an hour using the BFH approach.
bought a splitter and it fell of in about 10 seconds flat...

[BUSHWHACKER]

You need to use two heavy hammers to hit both sides of the joint simultaneously.

[Ben_D]

A little heat if you can?
Then use a splitter. I struggled with the BJ on the original steering damper for an hour using the BFH approach.
bought a splitter and it fell of in about 10 seconds flat...

Was it a fork type or screw type? Largest screw type I could fine does not fit and concerned about damaging the joint with the fork type.

You need to use two heavy hammers to hit both sides of the joint simultaneously.
22nd April 2012 21:49

Thanks Vince, may sound like a really stoopid question but where are you hitting it? I've smacked it to death with a 4lb lump hammer today just under the prominent edge that is in line with the axle.

Cheers

Ben

[Ben_D]

Beat the crap out of it again today for a while and still won't budge, starting to leave some fair marks on the upper arm.

Any other ideas?


Cheers

Ben

[POPEYE]

When i did mine i made up some steel box section with a bolt welded to it which fitted under the wishbone and on the concrete deck, this takes the spring out the wishbone when ya smack the bj, it's all about kenetic energy as said a blowtorch with a pencil tip will get heat to the seating without hurting the rubber if your carefull, set up the box or a wood block so the wishbone's supported, then a bit of heat, then smack the bj

[Albannach]

You need to hit it side on, not up or down or on edges or corners, hit it perpendicular to the centre line of the taper. As vince said, you need 2 hammers, one at each side. If you can't swing 2 hammers, hold the bigger one firmly on one side and use the smaller one to whack the edge.

If you use a lever type splitter, leave the nut on the balljoint. Don't try to use the splitter to remove the balljoint, that's not what they're for. Tighten the splitter until there's tension on it, then get the hammer out again.

Don't use a fork type splitter, ever.

In 30 odd years, I've never needed to heat to remove a balljoint.

[tonupteabag]

In 30 odd years, I've never needed to heat to remove a balljoint.

Only ever had to use heat on AUDI A4 upper ball joints!

[Chris W]

I had similar issues with my splitter not fitting but fortunately I was replacing the joints so could cut the rubber boots off to make it fit. I had to wind the splitter up until it was groaning then tap the wishbone and duck.

[Ben_D]

You need to hit it side on, not up or down or on edges or corners, hit it perpendicular to the centre line of the taper. As vince said, you need 2 hammers, one at each side. If you can't swing 2 hammers, hold the bigger one firmly on one side and use the smaller one to whack the edge.

If you use a lever type splitter, leave the nut on the balljoint. Don't try to use the splitter to remove the balljoint, that's not what they're for. Tighten the splitter until there's tension on it, then get the hammer out again.

Don't use a fork type splitter, ever.

In 30 odd years, I've never needed to heat to remove a balljoint.

Thanks Andy, I'll try again with a splitter. I did try the two hammer approach yesterday and it didn't work. Reassuring to know that you've not had had to resort to heat in 30 years and have got them all apart. I was starting to think it may not come at all. Will persevere, just concerned about the flat spots starting to appear in the wishbone.

Cheers

Ben