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[doughall]

I'm in the process of changing the wishboses, and am now at the Ball Joint stage.. (not easy!!!!)
Is there a seperator that can do the job?
Does any one have a pic, or a link to the right type of seperator!?!?

[Dave-C]

No piccy, but, you need a clamp type rather than  a fork...  they resemble a large pair of pliers with a bolt in the handle end... as you tighten the bolt it splay the handles and close the jaws.. hey presto, with a loud crack... seperated...  Halfors sell a Laserline branded set..

Hope this helps...

DC

http://www.incarshop.co.uk/acatalog/Ball_Joint_Separators.html

[Tony H]

As said the clamp type are easier to use. sometimes the balljoint can refuse to part in which case a good sharp crack with a hammer on the thick part of the seperator usually does the trick

[Matchless]

If you are just changing the wishbones then there is no need to separate the trackrod end balljoint.
If you mean the bottom balljoint then soak the area in penetrating oil, remove the pinch bolt completely and tap a chunky screwdriver or very slim cold chisel into the slot to expand the slot slightly then apply a steady downward load onto the wishbone by putting a bar through the large hole in the middle and levering down, they sometimes separate easily but if not then keep the load applied and use a club hammer and length of 2x2 to drive the ball joint down.
Once separated, put the steering on full lock (right for left wheel, left for right wheel) and pull the whole hub assembly rearwards as far as possible without stretching the brake hose, you should now be able to raise the wishbone to horizontal which makes it possible to pull the rear wishbone bush free from the subframe. Use same method to refit, get the rear bush in first, then front, then balljoint.
Wishbone bolts must be inserted from above. Balljoint pinch bolt must insert from front. Dont tighten the front wishbone bolt until the wheels are back on the ground.