I used a balljoint separator to try and separate it from the LCA to replace an axle...all the separator did was ruin my balljoint...they are worthless. So now I have to replace the balljoint and axle.

 

Yeah, I did that too. What do you suggest for removing balljoints instead? Everyone should know that knocking on them with a hammer until they drop out is completely bogus. It has never worked for me, not even once and I have done 4 axle jobs, 3 suspension jobs, and 1 clutch job.

The problem was that the ball joint is 10 years old, seized into the hub, with a ripped boot spewing grease. I wouldn't have had to replace it but it just spun when I put the nut back on, so I couldn't get it far enough up to put the cotter pin in.

I ghetto rigged it and put something between the hub and the nut to keep it tight, but it failed not more than 10 feet from my driveway. Not fun at all. h:

This is my lesson to not ghetto rig any more since I could have been going fast when it failed and it would have cost me a new suspension, body work, and possibly my car after losing control.

 

tore the boot on one of the lower balljoints with a seperator last fall/winter, when i was pulling that shit apart to press in a new wheel bearing. needless to say, the thing spewed out its grease, and i had no choice but to throw it back together as was, as i had no replacement balljoint.

wonder how long it'll go before i need to address that crap...

 

Yeah, I was going to replace my axle...but couldnt get the balljoint separated from the LCA for some reason...never happened before. I usually just beat on the LCA with a hammer, and use a jack on the LCA/balljoint to get them apart.

 

Most of my balljoint boots are ripped and leaking grease. I just couldn't get the nut back on the balljoint because it spun with the nut, so I had no choice but to replace it. I would assume that this will be the case for you. I picked up a full replacement with boot for $24 at autozone, so the price isn't bad, just getting it out to replace it.

 

I could hardly get the lower balljoint to separate with the pickle fork, so I don't think banging on it with a hammer would be any more effective. I couldn't even get the drivers side lower balljoint to separate with the pickle fork, so I had to dislodge the tie rod and upper control arm balljoint to get the axle out.

 

I picked up one of these the other day for $80. I know I will use it on some of the other vehicles I'm working on so I don't mind spending the money. Plus it has a lifetime guarantee on it. Hopefully it will work. :nervous:

 

That looks pretty hardcore.

That would be ideal to get those stubborn balljoints to separate. Hopefully you don't have what happened to me happen to you.

I should just invest in the one that the dealership mechanics use since it seems like I am ripping my suspension apart every other week. h:

 

Where'd you get that from?

 

those are pretty common kits....i carry one all the time in my store...also...sometimes the easiest way to get those balljoints out is to have them pressed out if they are that bad....and as to u guys with ripped boots u might wanna look into replacing those ball joints...ripped boots and no grease is not a good thing...