AShoe Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 So today I struggled for a couple hours replacing the drivers side ball joint on my car. I figured out a trick that made it much easier so I figured I would post it up. Once you get the retaining bolt out of the ball joint, turn the steering all the way to the side you are working on, and drive a screwdriver into the split in the knuckle. Once I did that I was able to tap it out easily. Hope this helps someone. If you have loose steering this is something to check. the joint was absolutely trashed, at least an 3-4mm of movement in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred_Buchi Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 [ame=http://www.amazon.com/K-Tool-International-KTI71502-Separator-Pickle/dp/B000BHNZRM]Amazon.com: K-Tool International (KTI71502) Ball Joint Separator Pickle Fork: Home Improvement[/ame] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AShoe Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 That works great to get the ball joint off the lower arm. Doesn't do much to get it out of the knuckle. You ever done one on a subi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRSCobra Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I found that a small chisel works better. And you aren't supposed to use hammer on a screwdriver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deer Killer Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 That works great to get the ball joint off the lower arm. Doesn't do much to get it out of the knuckle. You ever done one on a subi? Snipers Ball Tug. It tugs your balls. http://turninconcepts.com/product_info.php?products_id=1134 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRSCobra Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 ^^^ Cool tool, but if the ball joints are bad enough, it'll pull the ball out of the socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cypher0117 Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 snipers tool tugged my balls nice and good. It was all over and done with in about 5 minutes though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AShoe Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 That's why you use craftsman screwdrivers. I break them all the time. That ball tugger looks awesome, I wish I had known about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deer Killer Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 ^^^ Cool tool, but if the ball joints are bad enough, it'll pull the ball out of the socket. The only way it won't work is if you broke the pinch bolt in the knuckle. It took out ball joints for me that wouldn't budge with a 4 foot crowbar.. Actually I bent the crowbar.. TODO list on any new subaru, fill that damn hole with silicone before the ball joints get stuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Air chisel > stuck ball joints. Yeah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred_Buchi Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 That works great to get the ball joint off the lower arm. Doesn't do much to get it out of the knuckle. You ever done one on a subi? Actually no, my bad. I just remember spending forever on other cars trying to get a ball joint off before realizing this tool existed, haha. Disregard my tool choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bdubs Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 http://www.anytimetools.com/himages/h200942a.jpg I have a kit like pictured above. The large puller on the right has adjustable arms so you can position it just right and just wrench it down until it separates the ball joint off the knuckle. I use it for tie rods as well. Just don't hover over this thing as you tighten it, once it frees the ball joint the puller tends to go flying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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