[s-cars] ball joint puller tool

[Tom Green]

The problems using the pickle fork to separate the control arm are  
getting enough leverage and not damaging the ball joint boot when you  
plan to reuse the control arm.   I use a 6' solid bar
that was made for prying rocks loose when digging post holes.  The  
weight helps control the arm position so you don't slip down to the  
boot and damage it.  A brake disc or two on the end of
the pipe can help also, particularly if you are doing this alone.

The forks do work well to pry the tie rod end off instead of beating  
it loose.  Always remember to have new hardware on hand for all these  
suspension and steering parts.  A box of 25 nuts from
McMaster-Carr (minimum order) is a lot cheaper than buying one or two  
at a time from the dealer and then waiting on them.  Just check the  
specifications to ensure you buy the correct hardware.

Tom

On Feb 17, 2009, at 9:29 PM, Theodore Chen wrote:

> this ball joint separator is to separate the upright from the  
> control arm, right?
>
> i have a pickle fork ball joint separator, but didn't have any luck  
> using it.  later, i was told that people typically use a 6-foot pipe  
> to separate them.  i haven't tried that yet.
>
> -teddy
>
> From: Tom Green <trgreen at comcast.net>
> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 1:19:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] ball joint puller tool
>
> >
> The better tool doesn't have to  cost more, though.  Auto Zone,  
> Advance
> Auto, and most other FLAPS have a rental program that costs nothing
> when returned.  The front end kit will have a choice of puller ends so
> you can use the proper size to avoid any damage.
>
> Tom
>
> > Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:55:10 -0500
> > From: "John Cody Forbes" <cody at 5000tq.com>
> > Subject: Re: [s-cars] ball joint puller tool
> > To: <theringmeister at triad.rr.com>
> > Cc: Scar <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> > Message-ID: <000a01c99107$59ab31c0$6701a8c0 at codylaptop>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> >     reply-type=original
> >
> > Rules in life: There is always a bigger fish, and there is always a
> > better
> > tool ;-).
> >
> > -Cody Forbes
> >
> > Wylie Bean wrote:
> >> Just about any auto parts store should have one in their tools
> >> section.  Mine is actually a Pitman arm puller but it works fine.
> >> There are certainly more appropriate tools out there.
> >>
> >>
> >> ------Original Message------
> >> From: K Hayes
> >> Sender: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> >> Cc: Scar
> >> Sent: Feb 16, 2009 11:08 PM
> >> Subject: [s-cars] ball joint puller tool
> >>
> >> Ready to do some front end work and would really like to find who
> >> sells the ball joint puller tool that makes everything nice and  
> easy.
> >>
> >> TIA,
> >> Kenny in CO
>
> >
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