Is there a specific tool or technique to break the lower ball joint free without destroying the boot? I have the generic amazon ball joint tool that works great on tie rod end but doesn't fit on the LBJ. Upper always pops loose with a 5lb hammer but I cannot ever get the lower to break free and always have to resort to the pickle fork which destroys the boot.
Tool or technique for lower ball joint
#1
Posted 07-02-2018 01:17 PM
#2
Posted 07-02-2018 01:52 PM
2 hammers!!!
Seriously, put one hammer on the left side and strike with other hammer on right side. Kinda like those swinging ball things for on your desk. The shock load is doubled by having the extra hammer to bounce threw.
dave
No comments about swinging balls on your desk you preverts
- William Keeling, Alberto and Jim Drago like this
Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0
Building Championship winning cars since 1995
4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017
Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017
5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's
6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder
2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder
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2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)
2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief
2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)
Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230
#3
Posted 07-02-2018 01:54 PM
You did not say why you are taking the car apart. But if it is due to crash damage, just replace the ball joint. They are prone to bending and breaking at very bad times.
- William Keeling likes this
Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0
Building Championship winning cars since 1995
4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017
Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017
5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's
6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder
2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder
2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)
2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)
2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief
2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)
Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230
#4
Posted 07-02-2018 02:04 PM
And to get the "shock" a smaller hammer with a sharp blow works better than a big hammer!
Ron
RAmotorsports
#5
Posted 07-02-2018 02:10 PM
#6
Posted 07-02-2018 05:10 PM
The best tool for this is one sold by OTC that I call a "see-saw". It is about six inches wide and pivots in middle with a jack screw on one side and on the other is a thiner wedge shaped slot that slides under the spindle and between the boot. The top part sits on the ball joint stud which transmits the force from the jack screw thru the pivot to the top of the ball joint stud. If the jack screw force isin't enough to pop it you can then hammer on the end of the tool in contact with ball joint stud. I find this puiler works in many places you wouldnt expect and does not cut the boot. Works on tie rods too.
#7
Posted 07-02-2018 05:50 PM
The best tool for this is one sold by OTC that I call a "see-saw". It is about six inches wide and pivots in middle with a jack screw on one side and on the other is a thiner wedge shaped slot that slides under the spindle and between the boot. The top part sits on the ball joint stud which transmits the force from the jack screw thru the pivot to the top of the ball joint stud. If the jack screw force isin't enough to pop it you can then hammer on the end of the tool in contact with ball joint stud. I find this puiler works in many places you wouldnt expect and does not cut the boot. Works on tie rods too.
Like this Rich???
https://shop.advance...wE&gclsrc=aw.ds
#8
Posted 07-02-2018 07:08 PM
Another tool I use for all kinds of things for ball joints, half shafts and transmission work is a long stroke air hammer, i take one of the chisels and cut it flat and it will knock anything loose, or used a pointed tip on half shafts.
Frank
TnT Racing
SCCA Ohio Valley Region
#9
Posted 07-02-2018 08:45 PM
#10
Posted 07-03-2018 07:38 AM
I have made my living by fixing cars for 40+ years. I don't own any of these tools. But I have 2 hammers that work just fine.
Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0
Building Championship winning cars since 1995
4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017
Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017
5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's
6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder
2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder
2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)
2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)
2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief
2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)
Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230
#11
Posted 07-03-2018 07:50 AM
The best tool for this is one sold by OTC that I call a "see-saw". It is about six inches wide and pivots in middle with a jack screw on one side and on the other is a thiner wedge shaped slot that slides under the spindle and between the boot. The top part sits on the ball joint stud which transmits the force from the jack screw thru the pivot to the top of the ball joint stud. If the jack screw force isin't enough to pop it you can then hammer on the end of the tool in contact with ball joint stud. I find this puiler works in many places you wouldnt expect and does not cut the boot. Works on tie rods too.
I have used these and had them work and sometimes not work... They can generate enough force to squish the threads on a stud. Leaving the nut on, toward the top of the stud, can lessen the chance of damaging the stud.
Chris
Happiness is a dry martini and a good woman ... or a bad woman.
- George Burns
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