Ball Joint Separator?
 

Just wondering what you guys use to separate ball joints? I've used a pickle fork the last couple of times and I'm just not diggin' it anymore. I know there's little screw/leverage tools you can use to pop them out (for under $20), just curious if they really work without damaging the threads...?

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

I've always liked pickle forks Why dont you like them?

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

My car's been sitting for a couple of months and I think they're a little seized. I hosed them down with some PBlaster last night, but I really don't want to damage the boots on the joint either with the fork. I guess I'd just like to find a better and easier way of popping them. Sometimes they're easy but right now, they're a bitch. Both of them. :P

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

If you put some grease on the side of the fork thats against the boot theres much less of a chance ripping it.

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

This is the only way I know of removing ball joints. 8)

step one, wait till it gets so bad you can just pop it out

http://www3.telus.net/molnarb/repair1%20002.jpg


step two, press it out 8)


http://www3.telus.net/molnarb/repair1%20003.jpg

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

i've used a ball joint seperator before... goofy thing with 2 hooks and a bolt in the middle (pain in the ass to use) ended up mushrooming the end of the bolt coming out of the ball joint (squished it) for the castlated nut because they were so tight. oops, ball joint no good unless you have a die to run over the threads again. i'd rather replace a couple rubber boots than a complete ball joint. in my opinion the fork is the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to go.

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

That's what I was afraid of... I've seen ones like that and one like a lever so the screw doesn't actually press into the end of the stud, but I have a feeling either one would damage the threads. I've tried leaving the nut on and hitting the nut instead of the stud, but that doesn't work so hot either. I figured I'd ask around for once instead of buying some POS tool that doesn't work. ???

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

http://www.jtsindustrial.com/images/...00999/68_l.jpg

vs.

http://www.mytoolstore.com/wilmar/w89310-2.jpg

vs.

http://www.daftrucks.com/daftrpcatal...P_F1435131.jpg

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

Great find man i didn't even know that thing existed! Its $31 but i've ripped the rubber on both of my ball joints using the pickle fork
here's the product link - http://www.jtsindustrial.com/product...nfo-id-68.html

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

if you use the proper size fork, and grease the prongs on it, it won't rip your boot.

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

I'm just getting weak in my old age... I want something EASY! ;D

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

theres one real easy way i use on the lower ball joint, loosen the crown nut flush with the end of the ball joint stud, put a jack under the nut and jack it up slowly to apply pressure, bang on the side of the control arm with a hammer and slowly keep jacking it up, it will pop loose as quick as can be, and you dont have to worry about ------- up any boots or anything else if you do it right

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

I ripped my boot with a pickle fork, it's been over a year and still feels fine to me. :P

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

get an air hammer .. problem sovled about weakness.

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

yup; air hammer remover > all

I made the mistake of giving back a friends air hammer tool and buying a $10 autozone remover. It takes freakin forever and you have to be real careful not to ---- something up.

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

air hammer? pickle forks? holy ---- guys..

get a big hammer and smack the side of the lower control arm a few times (and dont hit it like a girl) Always comes loose for me.

Countless times I've had to replace lower ball joints on hondas because other people use pickleforks and split the boot or hit the bottom of the stud on the joint and mushroom it.

It's very rare I even use my ball joint splitter/puller. Only on nasty domestic 4x4 front ends. :-\

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

i heart my pickle fork, ive never had a problem

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

After a little research, I've heard a few bad things about those separators... tearing the rubber on the joints seems to be a common problem.

I did beat on the arm to no avail. I jacked up the whole hub on the stud/castle nut, beat on the arm some more and then used a pickle fork with a 3' extension bar and it popped right off. I have no idea why I didn't think of using a cheater bar in the first place... :P

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

Word, i was doing lower BJS on my 95 accord LX and just couldnt get them to come out with the pickle fork... so we just beat the hell out of the lower control arm right where the bj fits in and it finally came apart...

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

i use a fork everytime.

and one side STILL won't come loose lmao

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

I had to use a fork on my 91 rex the first time...every time after that though just beat the crap out of it with a mini-sledge hammer and it pops right out ;D

Re:Ball Joint Separator?
 

Just heat that bitch up and hammer on it, like jeff said. Works evertime.