TheSamba.com :: View topic - Syncro Lower Ball joint puller (on-car) Home made tool

Thu Jan 19, 2017 3:43 pm

I made another tool. It pushes the Lower Ball Joint out (LBJ) of a Syncro with the cast arms.
I don't know if it will fit the "other" style of Syncro LCA.
I don't know if it will fit the 2WD. EDIT: Does NOT fit 2WD

Spray area with penetrating oil prior. Several days prior is best. Pry off this circlip & don't lose it. New LBJs do not include this clip, and I hear they are NLA.

Ready to push. Tool fits on the (cast version, 1990 Syncro) Lower Control Arm (LCA) with the arm installed on the van. I don't know if it fits the stamped/welded version. I don't know if it fits the 2wd LCA.

View from the underside (cast LCA, 1990).

It's made from a 2 1/2" schedule40 pipe.
Slit, and spread about 0.4" by poundijng a chisel into the gap. It results in an OD appx 3 1/16".
A "plug" welded into the slit holds it apart at the 3 1/16" diameter.

There are some cutaways to clear the ribs in the underside of the cast Syncro Lower Control Arm (LCA).

"Standard Tool" is part of this Harbor Freight Bearing puller set.

======= INSTALLING THE NEW BALL JOINT ========

A 3 1/2" section of 2 inch electrical conduit.

Tightening the (greased) nuts pushing the conduit down, pressing the balljoint into its bore

Ready to go! Grease zerk modification is described in THIS THREAD.

Incidentally, it also fits in this location as a bushing to press the Syncro Front Wheel bearing out. You will need other components (all-thread rod & spacers etc) to push the bearing out but this is your bushing.

Anyway that's how it can be done if a guy has a shop and can build tools. Here's another homemade Syncro tool: Syncro Tool - Front Axle press (trail tool)
There are lots of ways to build this tool, and if you see pics of one way it helps to understand. And then you can decide how to do it 'your way'. :wink: Hope it helps.

Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:28 pm

Sodo- the LBJ "safety" clips are available through chris at T3 techniques. Just installed them on mine and they fit perfect

Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:45 pm

Wow, you are fast becoming the ultimate "guerrilla tool maker" for the Syncro!!!

Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:30 am

Love it! :D

Fri Jan 20, 2017 12:16 pm

Thanks Doug, Dave. But you guys are easy, (....tool nuts.) 8) 8) :lol:

Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:07 pm

Innovative tool. For information, I am pretty sure the lower ball joint is pressed into the spindle housing of the 2WD, so I don't believe your tool will work with 2 WD vanagons. Thanks for sharing.

Fri Jan 20, 2017 8:49 pm

Good stuff as always, Sodo! Mark is correct about the 2wd ball joint. You'd probably have to make a separate set of adapters. Conceptually though, this idea is fantastic! Particularly for folks who rarely have a use for or can't devote the shop space to a large press. Also the portability/on-car/roadside repair factor is cool.

-Kevin

Sun Jan 22, 2017 12:39 pm

Thanks Kevin. I think of other Samba members faced with this job, and they wonder about what tool might work in lieu of a hydraulic press. Or doing it "on-van" seems like a valid desire. Seeing a tool that works helps to understand what needs to be done.

I have a hydraulic press, I'm just doing this for sport - to make something that "seems useful", like a "prepper". :lol: :lol: The fact that it's only fits the cast arm Syncro takes it back a notch dangit. I'm procrastinating deciding which shocks to buy so it serves as a distraction. Shocks are standing in the way of putting this van back together.