RichieW
|
| posted on 7/1/03 at 09:40 PM |
|
|
Anyone used a ball joint separator?
I received my expensive Cortina front hubs this morning and and I am busy dismantling all the rust (Sorry I meant bits). ;-)
According to Mr Haynes, the top and bottom ball joints and steering arm bits are supposed to be removed with a ball joint separator. Has anyone used
one, are they any good or should I take a large hammer to the problem? The small hammer was not much good.
I can get a separator for about a fiver and I don't want to damage the hubs. Would it be better than a hammer? Any experience would be appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
Viper
|
| posted on 7/1/03 at 09:49 PM |
|
|
You have 3 options, one will damage the rubber boot, one might not work and one will work won't damage the rubber boot but will cost you...
option one buy the seperator that costs a fiver (the type you hammer in) and bugger the boot (if you are replacing the joint this is the easiest
way)
option two : take two hammers and tap (simitain...simatiani at the same time) the upright where the joint fits (the shock should pop the joint)
option 3: (the best) buy a screw type ball joint splitter...
Have fun.
|
|
|
stephen_gusterson
|
| posted on 7/1/03 at 10:58 PM |
|
|
as viper says, the fork type splitter will shag your rubber boots every time.
My screw type one will last a lifetime - might have spent 15 quid or so on it, i dont remember.
If you do whack with hammers, protect the top of the threads with a nut or summat.
I have found either they come out first hit, or never do, but then im not Thor with a hammer 
atb
Steve
|
|
|
JohnFol
|
| posted on 8/1/03 at 09:07 AM |
|
|
option 4) Buy new ball joints, £6 each or poss cheaper from auto jumbles.
|
|
|
RichieW
|
| posted on 8/1/03 at 11:07 AM |
|
|
Thanks for the all the help.
I think all the rubber boots are going in the bin as the hubs have been removed with an angle grinder, as per the picture in Ron's book (second
edition). The bits that are left don't need saving do they?
|
|
|
kingr
|
| posted on 8/1/03 at 11:21 AM |
|
|
From experience I would say that the chances of you bashing the ball joint out with a hammer are fairly slim especially with the upright off the car.
I've tried walloping them with a club hammer as hard as access difficulties would allow with it on the car and they haven't budged and it's mangle
the threads (and possible the upright). You can get ball joint splitters of the screw/pincer type dirt cheap from machine mart, they're not exactly
snap on level of production, but then how often are you going to use it? Halford also sell them, but they're considerably more expensive. Although
you might not want to keep the ball joints this time, next time you might, and is it worth forking out (geddit?) for two tools when one would have
done just as well?
Either that or borrow one off someone.
Kingr
|
|
|
RichieW
|
| posted on 8/1/03 at 11:42 AM |
|
|
Screw type it is then. Cheers!
|
|
|
RichieW
|
| posted on 8/1/03 at 03:39 PM |
|
|
Got one at lunchtime from a tool shop near where I work. It looks a lot more of an elegant solution than a hammer and one of those fork design things
for the same price. Six quid well spent I hope! I assume that Laser handtools are at the cheap and cheerful end of the market?
|
|
|
Lars
|
| posted on 8/1/03 at 08:12 PM |
|
|
surely if u don't need the joints a drill will do the job too
|
|
|
stephen_gusterson
|
| posted on 8/1/03 at 11:00 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Lars
surely if u don't need the joints a drill will do the job too
drill a taper joint out? That would be the hard way!
atb
Steve
|
|
|
Viper
|
| posted on 8/1/03 at 11:28 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Lars
surely if u don't need the joints a drill will do the job too
you wouldn't be able to drill it out its hardened, it would cost you a fortune in drill bits....
|
|
|
Rorty
|
| posted on 9/1/03 at 02:09 AM |
|
|
Lars:
quote:
surely if u don't need the joints a drill will do the job too
He didn't mention anything about drilling or drill bits, he means "use the drill to beat the suitcase out of it!"
Strange bloke.
Cheers, Rorty.
"Faster than a speeding Pullet".
PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!
|
|
|
PHULL
|
| posted on 18/1/03 at 11:56 AM |
|
|
xxx
sorry I haven't ever seen a ball joint spliter b4
wtf do they look like?
|
|
|
RichieW
|
| posted on 18/1/03 at 06:21 PM |
|
|
Have a look at the pictures on this link.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/ranges.asp?g=111&r=2076
I ended up using a screw type separator on the steering arm joints and the fork type on the uprights as they were too large for my screw type
separator.
|
|
|
stephen_gusterson
|
| posted on 18/1/03 at 11:37 PM |
|
|
splitter is exactly the right description - simple, compact, and splits the rubber.
a seperator does not wreck things.
atb
steve
|
|
|
