best place to buy special tools?

[iain.atkinson at tesco.net]

I got hold of the wrong end of the stick sorry.


Iain
> 
> From: "John Larson" <j.d.larson at verizon.net>
> Date: 2006/05/18 Thu PM 03:13:28 BST
> To: <iain.atkinson at tesco.net>, 	<desch at alum.wpi.edu>, 	<quattro at audifans.com>
> Subject: Re: Re: best place to buy special tools?
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <iain.atkinson at tesco.net>
> 
> 
> >I would imagine it washes the grease out them, ok to do if you aren't 
> >re-using them, a decnt ball joint splitter is esential for undoing these.
> >
> > Iain
> >> From: John Larson <j.d.larson at verizon.net>
> >> Subject: Re: best place to buy special tools?
> >>
> >> Kurt wrote:  "For the ball joints, I spray them with penetrating oil,
> >> then wedge a screwdriver in the slot to spread it slightly."
> >>
> >> Audi (and Porsche, MB, and BMW) specifically warns AGAINST doing this.
> >> Therefore, I don't do it here at the shop.  John
> 
> I'm sorry, it appears I wasn't clear.  The penetrant is OK, the wedging 
> apart of the female part of the ball joint/suspension connections is 
> forbidden in the manuals.  WRT most Audis, as they are not "taper" or 
> "wedge" fit, there's NO NEED for bending the receptacle open.  Unlike the 
> fit of the tierods, the ball joint pins are straight, having parallel sides, 
> and are a slip fit in the hole.  Many are quite tight, but they're NOT a 
> wedge fit.  They DO NOT require a ball joint separator as such.  Most such 
> connections preclude the use of one anyway, due to the size and shape of the 
> material surrounding the connection.  Of the separators out there, the 
> "pickle fork" would be the last resort, one to be used when you don't care 
> about the damage you invariably cause by its use.  Hope this clarifies my 
> position, and is helpful.  John 
> 
>