TheSamba.com :: View topic - Lower Ball Joints

Fri Nov 28, 2025 4:22 pm

Hello folks.

I'm trying to do the upper and lower ball joints on my 2003 EV. I have the correct tools to do the upper ball joints. I tried to use this PITTSBURGH 3/4 in. Ball Joint Separator but the tool snapped. So I rented a C-Clamp style ball joint tool from the local auto parts store, but I can't figure out how it can work on the lower 'joints.

I've removed the splined bolts. All I have to do is "press" the old ball joint out.

I have a jack, the C-Clamp tools, a propane torch, and a jack. Anybody have advice for me about how to press out this lower ball joint?

Thank you!

Fri Nov 28, 2025 4:30 pm

If it's rusted in there, try some heat followed by cold water to break the bond..

Fri Nov 28, 2025 5:20 pm

Nitramrebrab72 wrote: If it's rusted in there, try some heat followed by cold water to break the bond..

Oh it's rusted in there @Nitramrebrab72. I'll return the clamp press and see if they have a pickle fork and then I'll try the heat + cold. Thanks for the advice.

Fri Nov 28, 2025 7:45 pm

I give up for the night. I put as much pressure as I could on the lower ball joint with a jack under the loosened bolt, gave it about 10 minutes of propane, and hammered the pickle fork (OEM 20720) as far as it would go (see pic below). It just will. not. pop. I might have to replace the control arms to finish this repair! Any other advice?

Fri Nov 28, 2025 11:28 pm

dbeeby wrote: I give up for the night. I put as much pressure as I could on the lower ball joint with a jack under the loosened bolt, gave it about 10 minutes of propane, and hammered the pickle fork (OEM 20720) as far as it would go (see pic below). It just will. not. pop. I might have to replace the control arms to finish this repair! Any other advice?

5-some years ago I did the ball joints on my 1995 EVC and I also used a pickle fork as part of the removal of the ball joints. (https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9650195#9650195)

One thing to note about pickle forks is there are multiple sized forks. I have a "smaller" fork which I use for tie rods and the "larger" one I used on the ball joints. With the larger one, the forks are wider apart and it has taller profile. Wondering if you are using the smaller type which is not clearing the mounting shaft or not providing enough leverage to push up the base of the ball joint. Something else to try is striking the shoulder surrounding the lower ball joint with two hammers/sledges at the same time, a 180 degrees apart. I have done that approach with tie rods before when not having a pickle fork available.

Yesterday 8:57 am

Air hammer pickle fork and a propane torch got it done for me. Pair it with as big of an air hammer as you can afford. I had to blast it for about 5 minutes before it finally came apart.