Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: bestseany on 13 February 2007, 09:33:44

Title: Ball-joint splitters
Post by: bestseany on 13 February 2007, 09:33:44
What is the best type of ball-joint splitter to get, namely, one for removing the wishbones with.

Is it best to get one that looks like a chisel, and you just hit it with a hammer, or ones of those splitters that have a nut and thread that you turn with a spanner?
Title: Re: Ball-joint splitters
Post by: familyman on 13 February 2007, 09:46:23
A really really big hammer to shock the joint:y :y :y

No seriously from a profesional point of veiw the screw type when using it if the bolt has gone eally tight and joint not popped a tap with a hammer will usually finish the job.

the problem with the fork type is that they normally end up damaging the the ball joint rubber, MOT failure follows :y
Title: Re: Ball-joint splitters
Post by: bestseany on 13 February 2007, 10:02:51
Quote
A really really big hammer to shock the joint:y :y :y

No seriously from a profesional point of veiw the screw type when using it if the bolt has gone eally tight and joint not popped a tap with a hammer will usually finish the job.

the problem with the fork type is that they normally end up damaging the the ball joint rubber, MOT failure follows :y

Well, the wishbones would be getting replaced anyway. Does a screw type actually make the job easier than the fork type?
Title: Re: Ball-joint splitters
Post by: familyman on 13 February 2007, 10:10:09
The fork type is certainly quicker especially with a big  hammer and a good right arm just watch your thumb knuckle if you miss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The screw type would be better long term i.e. for removing track rod ends to be reused etc...  :y
Title: Re: Ball-joint splitters
Post by: Markjay on 13 February 2007, 10:18:26
I have always used the fork type, they are more universal - with the screw type you need to have one with the right reach, height, etc so could be a pain to find the correct one for the car.

Title: Re: Ball-joint splitters
Post by: Markie on 13 February 2007, 13:10:00
despite breaking my last fork set i have since replaced with a similar but better make of the same. Forks for me  :y
Title: Re: Ball-joint splitters
Post by: sounds2k on 13 February 2007, 13:26:20
well for removing track rods, use one of these (http://www.lasertools.co.uk/item.aspx?item=119&cat=381) - works perfectly and doesn't damage the rubber boot. An alternative is one of these (http://www.lasertools.co.uk/item.aspx?item=536&cat=381), but when a mate and me tried to get the track rod out on my old miggy that one didn't work - wasn't big enough so kept coming off when you did the screw up. Ended up using the fork type and it was a major pig to remove.

I used the first type (scissor) when swapping the track rod on my current one, the scissor type did it first time in about 30 seconds, laughably easy with that  :y