best place to buy special tools?

[Kurt Deschler]

I don't think that I bent the female part of the joint. I only wedged it 
enough to let the penetrating oil get in and relieve some of the friction. 
I'm sure its not the best thing to do without at good tie rod puller or 
wrecking the boot, good luck.
 	-Kurt

On Thu, 18 May 2006, John Larson wrote:

>
> ----- 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 
>