Replace ball joints

[carmangary]

I made a press out of some 4x4s and a small 2ton bottle jack. But, all it did was rip the 4x4s apart.

[vicsvw]

There is an easier way to remove them. Any one with an Electric welder has the best tool made to remove ball joints. We have removed several hundred this way and always works great. Pulled a many bearing races the same way. See -> Ball Joint Removing <> http://www.1800vw.bizhosting.com/qa_balljointrem.htm

[benstouffer]

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents worth on the harbor freight tools. I know they are cheap but the quality is really poor. The ball joint press looks identical to a professional quality one but is made from lesser quality metals and that is why they bend up and chew up threads. If you cant afford professional tools often you can rent good stuff from local auto parts stores.

[fmartin_gila]

Totally agree about the quality of the Harbor Freight press, but for occasional use, not bad. I had been hammering on a "U" joint in an old rusted driveshaft for my old Ford pickup for about a week, then decided to try the HF press. Sprayed the threads on the screw and internal threads in the 'C' with white lithium grease and in about ten minutes the job was done.

Fred

[gobeatle]

I just removed ball joints from a 73 torsion bar front end that sat in a field in Michigan for 20 years. I tried the welding trick but they didn't come out as easily as I thought they would, I'm not much of a welder so that may have something to do with it. I ended up using a hack saw blade to cut 2 relief cuts in the ball joint socket and heating the torsion arm with a small oxygen/propane torch, then took a socket and a 2 pound sledge hammer to beat them out. I removed all four that way and the arms look nice. I know removing a ball joint from a torsion arm can be a challenge so I thought I would share my experience.

[SkooobaSteve]

I had this given to me popped both ball joints out in 5 mintues. Freaking awsome I always took the arm off before and had a shop do it for me. No more

_________________
Jonathan
Romans 6:13
WTB 67 beetle rear seat belts.
59 Euro ragtop build with my dad
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=493553&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
65 dlx Slow build
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=391061

[Fattie]

you know you have a serious tool when it has a grease zerk
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[crazee]

OK........
I WANT TO BUY THE "CORRECT TOOL".
Anyone have links to what it is and where it can be bought?

THANKS

[bonzer5]

i changed my rear seals on my 66 bug and put everything back and now the drum on one side rubs backing plate confused?

[vintageorbust]

[Motomazzo]

I just wanted to add that I removed all 4 B/J's this weekend. My Dad, a bug enthusiast from way back, said that he has always used a air-chisel with a blunt tip to hammer them out. I needed heat as well, but I used a Milwaukee Heat Gun and it worked great. Plenty of heat without using a torch. Just FYI.

[BGEE68]

My neighbor and I, just replaced the ball joints for the 74 Std Bug he's building for his Daughter.

We used a Harbor Freight 12 Ton press and the tools from the two ball joint tool kits I have from Harbor Freight.

I had previously used the HF tool set to replace the lower ball joints on my 85 Short/Wide Chevy Pickup...worked like a champ.

[harryset]

[Fred_m]

[harryset]

[string]

I just rebuilt the front end of my 78 Super. I removed the lower control arms and cut the top and bottom of the ball joint off with a four and a half inch grinder with a cutting wheel. Then knocked out what was left with a ball peen hammer. The process took about 10 minutes per side but you have to have a steady hand or you will cut unto the control arm. I used a press to install the new ball joints.

[tundrawolf]

[harryset]

I found something that works!

A couple of sockets, stuck this upper in the vise, applied some pressure, then some heat, rapped it with a hammer - POP! Came right out.

Once.

I'm guessing that Wilton is selling cheap, Chinese, vises. My son says "GREAT! Now go buy three more vises and we've got 'er whipped."

If it makes any difference, it broke on a lower.

I should have bought the harbor freight 20 ton press when it was on sale for $169.00
_________________
'72 Standard
Proud owner of a "Hoover Bit"

185 60's up front, Empi disc kit, 2 1/2" drop spindles, 185 65's in back, stock drums.

Sound Deadening by Secondskin

[benchracer1]

what brand of ball joints are best quality?

[tundrawolf]

VW German ones I hear are best.