Front wishbone balljoint won't split - Page 3

David Lawrence · 24th January 2011, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by graham2230

David,

From your original post did I understand that its the ball joint bolt you're strugging with? You mentioned threads

It is not the outboard ball joint that is the problem, the one at the hob is quite straightforward to split, there is a second ball joint on the inner side of the wishbone that seizes in the chassis. If you look at a wishbone on ebay you'll see what we mean.

Graham

Oh I'm with you now. Don't think I had any trouble with this one myself, just popped out from what I remember.

Steady-Eddie · 30th January 2011, 18:54

Finally got it done this afternoon!

Tried everything from driving round with the nut loosened (don't try this at home children) to putting the jack under the bj and leaving the weight of the car on it while I went for a cuppa while my blood pressure came down.
In the end I just lay on my back whacking it with a lump hammer until it finally gave. 4 hours it took me and 15 minutes to put the replacement on.

Feeling quite please with myself now. Bet I'm stiff in the morning though

Thanks again to everyone for the advice

graham2230 · 30th January 2011, 19:17

Well done Eddie, no loss of blood I hope.

Other side will be far easier now that you've done one.

Graham

tvpcop · 30th January 2011, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steady-Eddie

Finally got it done this afternoon!

Tried everything from driving round with the nut loosened (don't try this at home children) to putting the jack under the bj and leaving the weight of the car on it while I went for a cuppa while my blood pressure came down.
In the end I just lay on my back whacking it with a lump hammer until it finally gave. 4 hours it took me and 15 minutes to put the replacement on.

Feeling quite please with myself now. Bet I'm stiff in the morning though

Thanks again to everyone for the advice

Hahaha well done mate, that highly technical big hoofing hammer came into play

Glad you got it sorted

rossocorsa · 30th January 2011, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steady-Eddie

heavy duty fork type that you hammer in

never like those prefer the ones with a nut on top that you gradually screw up tighter until the joint comes loose

Steady-Eddie · 30th January 2011, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossocorsa

never like those prefer the ones with a nut on top that you gradually screw up tighter until the joint comes loose

Tried one of those first and there was no way it would fit. The fork type was next to useless as the fork was too narrow to fit around the joint. In the end I just hammered it end on until it cracked loose. Even tried drilling a hole up the centre of it. All that did was polish the drill bit

It had too come out because the threads were well belled.

In the end the "birmingham screwdriver" prevailed

rossocorsa · 30th January 2011, 21:40

I have a small pile of Fiat/Lancia tools and have their joint splitter it has a very thin flat area to go between the joint withshileding to stop it slipping and long arms it tackles most joints with relative ease

much better than most tools from motor factors

graham2230 · 30th January 2011, 21:51

Rossocorsa,

The problem is that the inboard ball joint on the wishbone is recessed so getting any tools onto it al all is quite difficult. Best methode is to jack up the car on the inner ball joint thread which points downward, remembering to slacken the nut off of course. Hitting the subframe with a hammer shocks it loose as the weight of the car is sitting directly on the tstud from the ball joint.

I've never managed to split one with anything else.

Graham

rossocorsa · 30th January 2011, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by graham2230

Rossocorsa,

The problem is that the inboard ball joint on the wishbone is recessed so getting any tools onto it al all is quite difficult. Best methode is to jack up the car on the inner ball joint thread which points downward, remembering to slacken the nut off of course. Hitting the subframe with a hammer shocks it loose as the weight of the car is sitting directly on the tstud from the ball joint.

I've never managed to split one with anything else.

Graham

yep it may well be one that beats that tool I'll take a look when I'm having an idle momemnt under the car!!

guinness · 28th February 2012, 14:36

hi guys usall problem.
can remove the the lower suspension arm bolt from the sub frame.
tryed all info in the post except heating up.
have the ball joint under pressure with a bottle jack and plenty of wd40 but no movment .
have used a big lump hammer but still no sepration of the ball joint.
any help please as running out of ideas.
many thanks

30th January 2011, 18:54	#22
Steady-Eddie Avid contributor 2004 75 CDTi, Conn SE Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newcastle under Lyme Posts: 162 Thanks: 32 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Finally got it done this afternoon! Tried everything from driving round with the nut loosened (don't try this at home children) to putting the jack under the bj and leaving the weight of the car on it while I went for a cuppa while my blood pressure came down. In the end I just lay on my back whacking it with a lump hammer until it finally gave. 4 hours it took me and 15 minutes to put the replacement on. Feeling quite please with myself now. Bet I'm stiff in the morning though Thanks again to everyone for the advice __________________ Eddie

28th February 2012, 14:36	#30
guinness Avid contributor mg zt 2.5 v6 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: huntingdon Posts: 117 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	mg zt lower suspension arm hi guys usall problem. can remove the the lower suspension arm bolt from the sub frame. tryed all info in the post except heating up. have the ball joint under pressure with a bottle jack and plenty of wd40 but no movment . have used a big lump hammer but still no sepration of the ball joint. any help please as running out of ideas. many thanks Last edited by guinness; 28th February 2012 at 14:43..

30th January 2011, 19:17	#23
graham2230 Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leeds Posts: 91 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well done Eddie, no loss of blood I hope. Other side will be far easier now that you've done one. Graham

30th January 2011, 21:40	#27
rossocorsa Posted a thing or two None Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: GRIMSBY Posts: 1,243 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have a small pile of Fiat/Lancia tools and have their joint splitter it has a very thin flat area to go between the joint withshileding to stop it slipping and long arms it tackles most joints with relative ease much better than most tools from motor factors

30th January 2011, 21:51	#28
graham2230 Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leeds Posts: 91 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Rossocorsa, The problem is that the inboard ball joint on the wishbone is recessed so getting any tools onto it al all is quite difficult. Best methode is to jack up the car on the inner ball joint thread which points downward, remembering to slacken the nut off of course. Hitting the subframe with a hammer shocks it loose as the weight of the car is sitting directly on the tstud from the ball joint. I've never managed to split one with anything else. Graham