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[JezInBrum]

I am about to have a go at changing mine. I looked at the how to and it seems too easy. Having the new arm i was expecting splines or at least one fixed way of lining it up correctly.
Or is the key not to move things once the joints are undone? I take it the 60nm on the shaft creates enough force/friction to prevent the arm slipping on the shaft its fixed to.
Apologies if this seems a daft question. I just dont want the car in its and me standing there like a lemon bith an even blanker expression on my face than usual.
Cheers, Jez

[Varche]

Worry not, it is very easy. You need it safely up in the air. Ramps?

The only difficulty you may encounter is getting the ball joint off. I used the two hammer method in the end. My splitters seem to have gone awol. Hit each side simultaneously with a hammer. I plus gassed mine first.

[JezInBrum]

Thanks for the advice. 

[TheBoy]

Its as easy as the guide makes out. Nothing needs to line up, as it all moves anyway.  As long as replacing with right part, alignment should be fine.


Dont be put off if it takes a few goes using the hammer method to undo that awkward balljoint - it will go eventually.

[raywilb]

i have a long chisel that enables me to give it a good crack ( with wheel removed ) without having to get underneath. tho the first attempt at removing one was in the region of nine hours , spaced over two days. in eight years iv,e only changed mine once. but i always have a spare just in case.

[JezInBrum]

I went and bought a splitter just to be sure, not the screw type, a glorified chisel that should not slip off....hopefully. I got the arm from Euro car parts for £45, the 110mm one. Will have a go Wednesday morning before work

[Broomies Mate]

I went and bought a splitter just to be sure, not the screw type, a glorified chisel that should not slip off....hopefully. I got the arm from Euro car parts for £45, the 110mm one. Will have a go Wednesday morning before work

Take it back and get the Lemforder.  I put the cheaper one on mine and it lasted 6 months.

Lemforder was £57inc VAT after I lied and told them I can get the genuine Vx one for £59 inc VAT. 

EDIT:  Can be found cheaper on eGay, but I needed it desperately as the crappy Idler Arm failed VERY BADLY!

[TheBoy]

I went and bought a splitter just to be sure, not the screw type, a glorified chisel that should not slip off....hopefully. I got the arm from Euro car parts for £45, the 110mm one. Will have a go Wednesday morning before work

That fork type won't help - at best it will damage the rubber boots on the ball joints

Stick to the hammer method

[JezInBrum]

I gave the recommended method a go today. Bloody thing would not budge. All I think thats happened is a bit more play in the joint on the tie rod that the idler arm attaches too. Got that desperate I even tried putting some heat through it. Never mind, hopefully not caused any other damage which will affect the tracking.

[TheBoy]

It will go

[car-nut]

I have also bought the new type ball joint splitter, and reckon if it is put in at the right angle it shouldn't damage the ball joint.

[Olympia5776]

Listen to TB and use two hammers.

[lee4206]

]I have also bought the new type ball joint splitter, and reckon if it is put in at the right angle it shouldn't damage the ball joint[/highlight].

Its not the joint its self that gets damaged its the rubber dust boot that gets split and as from 1/1/12 split/missing dust boots will be a mot fail.