TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:58 am

Has anyone ever used this to remove ball joints? Or does anyone have a shade tree mechanics way of removing them? I am trying to avoid taking them to a shop. :wink:

http://www.800luvbugg.com/shop?frame=1.7849

Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:03 am

that tool is just to separate the spindle from the balljoint

Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:19 am

oh...well thats worthless. I need do get 'em out of the torsion arms. Really don't want to take them to a shop. Any suggestions?
I looked at AutoZones rental tool selection...they have a tie rod end remover that seems like it may be big enough to remove the ball joints, but I don't know. Of course the guy there wasn't any help either. :x

I have 16 years of "do it yourself" car experience, but this is my first attempt at suspension (other than replacing shocks on my truck). :shock:

Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:13 am

The way to do it is with a hydraulic press, push the old ones out, push the new ones in. A 20 ton press works well, those things are IN THERE!

You also want to index them properly so the new ones don't bind.

If there were an easy way to get the lowers out in particular... they'd pop right out the first time you hit a good bump.

Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:51 am

Dusty1 wrote:

If there were an easy way to get the lowers out in particular... they'd pop right out the first time you hit a good bump.

Very true!!!! I have to replace mine and am not looking forward to it what so ever LOL!!!! :twisted:

Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:18 am

sad news indeed :( , I guess it's to the shop I go. So I guess tools like these are for releasing the spindle from the ball joint / tie rod end? :?http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/Pr-p_Pr...ball+joint

Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:21 am

you can rent this tool at auto zone or advance auto parts

its called a ball joint press

after you bring the tool back you get you money back
all your money back
$150.00 or so dollars to rent it for 45 days then a full refund you cane beat that :D

Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:22 am

dandhcomputers wrote: you can rent this tool at auto zone or advance auto parts

its called a ball joint press

The generic ones are a PITA and can damage the ball joint. It's best to have one with the Type 1 specific fixtures.

Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:27 am

I dont know about those but I damn well guarantee you that if they are used for removal they more than likely wouldnt work and would break long before the ball joint came loose.... Looks like cheap pot metal to me IMHO....

The press is essentially a hydraulic jack with a press attachment that will pop those bad boys out like a zit!!!! You could try that tool if its cheap tho guess its worth a shot but to me it looks more like its for pressing the ball joint into place more than removal????

Good Luck!!!!

Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:27 am

The shop is going to have to remove the arms any way maybe you could cut the cost and just take the arms in. I am shure their is someone on thesamba by were you live that works in a shop and can do it. If you lived in GJ CO I could change em out for you

Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:29 am

Glenn Link us with a spot to pick that bad boy up!!!! :twisted:

Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:37 am

LOL, I had family in GJ CO last name Inskeep :D

Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:44 am

BIGIN wrote: Glenn Link us with a spot to pick that bad boy up!!!! :twisted:

You'd have to go back 20 years in time.

It was made by OTC but they stopped the Type 1 specific fixtures a long time ago.

Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:13 pm

Well shit I guess im gonna have to dust off the delorean now!!!! Better check that flux capacitor and make sure its still working.... :(

Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:00 pm

Quote: Has anyone ever used this to remove ball joints? Or does anyone have a shade tree mechanics way of removing them? I am trying to avoid taking them to a shop. Wink

http://www.800luvbugg.com/shop?frame=1.7849

If you are really trying to avoid a shop, you can get four arms with ball joints already pressed in for $180 at: Aircooled.net torsion arms

Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:07 pm

72_STD wrote: Quote: Has anyone ever used this to remove ball joints? Or does anyone have a shade tree mechanics way of removing them? I am trying to avoid taking them to a shop. Wink

http://www.800luvbugg.com/shop?frame=1.7849

If you are really trying to avoid a shop, you can get four arms with ball joints already pressed in for $180 at: Aircooled.net torsion arms

That's what i'd suggest.

Most shops will charge you an hours labor to just install the 4 ball joints. Then add the cost of the ball joints and you're more than half there.

Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:34 pm

Glenn wrote: 72_STD wrote: Quote: Has anyone ever used this to remove ball joints? Or does anyone have a shade tree mechanics way of removing them? I am trying to avoid taking them to a shop. Wink

http://www.800luvbugg.com/shop?frame=1.7849

If you are really trying to avoid a shop, you can get four arms with ball joints already pressed in for $180 at: Aircooled.net torsion arms

That's what i'd suggest.

Most shops will charge you an hours labor to just install the 4 ball joints. Then add the cost of the ball joints and you're more than half there.

But if the shop has the OTC or other tool that does them on the car and you don't have to take it all apart and remove the arms it's worth the money. I have the same tool you do Glenn ( as you know) and can change all four joints on the car in about an hour or a bit longer depending .... sure beats a few extra hours hassling with the removal of the sway bar/clamps etc etc....

Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:41 pm

I charge a case of beer if you are local 8)

(nuttin beats a press!)

Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:49 pm

keifernet wrote: Glenn wrote: 72_STD wrote: Quote: Has anyone ever used this to remove ball joints? Or does anyone have a shade tree mechanics way of removing them? I am trying to avoid taking them to a shop. Wink

http://www.800luvbugg.com/shop?frame=1.7849

If you are really trying to avoid a shop, you can get four arms with ball joints already pressed in for $180 at: Aircooled.net torsion arms

That's what i'd suggest.

Most shops will charge you an hours labor to just install the 4 ball joints. Then add the cost of the ball joints and you're more than half there.

But if the shop has the OTC or other tool that does them on the car and you don't have to take it all apart and remove the arms it's worth the money. I have the same tool you do Glenn ( as you know) and can change all four joints on the car in about an hour or a bit longer depending .... sure beats a few extra hours hassling with the removal of the sway bar/clamps etc etc....

That's if you can borrow a tool and do all your own labor. Otherwise you have to bring the shop the car and they'll charge you a few hours labor to r&r the ball joints.

The right tool makes all jobs alot easier.

Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:41 pm

I'd suggest buying the arms with the ball joints in them. I R/R'd the ball joints in mine with the autozone tool and custom turned sleeves(I have a lathe). The tool from autozone was just barely strong enough to get it done and I messed up one of the lower joints. Buy the arms and save yourself a bunch of unnecessary trouble.