[Vwdiesel] Help-Ball Joint

[Shawn Wright]

On 2 May 2003 at 23:26, Val Christian wrote:

> Gang,
>
> Today I started tackling a strut and brake replacement job on my 91 diesel
> Jetta.  Damage thus far:
>
> 	-munged allen socket head on upper caliper retainer bolt
> 	I ended up hammering in a 1/4" one to finish the job.
> 	spent hours on it with impact, and penetrant.  Then got
> 	gutsy, put the smallest tip I could on my torch (#1 Linde)
> 	and heated the casting.  I didn't damage the rubber boot on
> 	the piston.  Heat wins.

I've had trouble with these before, although never quite this much. I am now very
careful not to over torque them and they seem fine the next time.

> 	-broke off 8mm head on brake dust shield, trying to get it
> 	off for better access.  Didn't use heat.  Now, I'll be using
> 	an EZout.

These and the little rotor retaining screws are notorious for seizing...

> Problem remaining:
>
> 	-ball joint not separated from steering knuckle.  No pickle
> 	fork.  But I really don't want to use one.  The ball joint is
> 	fine, and I don't want to replace it.  Can't find stand-alone
> 	ball joint boots.
>
> So does anyone have any ideas I should consider for separating the
> ball joint from the steering knuckle, without damaging the boot?
>
> I tried sandwiching in a tire iron, and then using the weight of the
> car to lever the tire iron, resting on a jackstand.  I figure quite
> a bit of force (10K lbs?).  It mostly bent the metal on the lower
> control arm.

I've been able to drive out ball joints by tapping (hammering!) on the top of the
balljoint, being careful not to damage the threads. You can get away with a bit of
deformation before the threads are affected, as it is tapered a bit. I think this is a
case where impact is needed to break it free...

Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
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