Wandering around Princess Auto the other day I found this joint separator on sale. I think $18 or so, so I thought "what the heck", I'm pulling the front end apart, so I'll give it a go.
It works absolutely fantastic!!! In all the front ends I've beat to get the joint apart I should have had one. I've seen them in the past and just thought nothing of them.
I put some copper never seize on the threads and where the bolt rides the fork with a ball. Kept a jack waiting under the lower control arm, and with the upper ball joint castle nut backed off 3/16" I applied slow pressure on the tools bolt, nothing extreme. One light rap up underneath on the tool where it contacts the ball joint taper head and she popped. No cursing required. It looks like it didn't even damage the boots. The tie rods were childs play with this thing. It has a relief cut into it where it forks under the joint, and it really can get in to a tight space. Unlike most china tools in the past, this one looks to be of a very good quailty. But I still wouldn't beat on it too much, lol!
gparis7 said
Jun 15, 2010
Unless you are a pro using the tools everyday, many of these Princess Auto tools are more than sufficient for the hobbyist. Princess Auto wasn't here the last time I had to do this job so I made up a separator from some long large bolts & nuts so as to preserve the boots. But this one is a lot easier to use.
cdnpont said
Jun 15, 2010
gparis7 wrote:
Unless you are a pro using the tools everyday, many of these Princess Auto tools are more than sufficient for the hobbyist. Princess Auto wasn't here the last time I had to do this job so I made up a separator from some long large bolts & nuts so as to preserve the boots. But this one is a lot easier to use.
I remember your post John, I actually have the rod and bolts on my bench to make the tool you described! It was a good idea. But hopefully this will be my last front end.
gparis7 said
Jun 16, 2010
Yes, there's always someone out there making tools we need; all we have to do is find them.
Smart move to tape the shoes - I always forget to cover them.
-- Edited by gparis7 on Wednesday 16th of June 2010 06:42:21 AM
ZigZag said
Jun 16, 2010
That's funny. I was in Princess Auto the other day and had one of those in my hand. Left it on the shelf because I doubted it would work, but you convinced me otherwise. Thanks for the review! Princess Auto is definitely the place for cheap single-use hand tools.
cdnpont said
Jun 16, 2010
I just separated the lower balljoint from the spindle. The lower joint must be removed from the lower arm to be removed from the spindle, as the bolt end of the tool would be facing the arm if attempted with the arm attached. Picture the tool in the same position as in the picture, but on the bottom joint. Won't work.
All the joints were removed with this tool. The bottom ones took the most effort, and I could start to see the bolt end or the tool just beging to bend. A good smack on the pivot above the taper and they came loose. I think this tool is likely a forging or its very ductle. It returned to straight when loosened off.
I've never had it all come apart without some big effort on at least one joint.
It works absolutely fantastic!!! In all the front ends I've beat to get the joint apart I should have had one. I've seen them in the past and just thought nothing of them.
I put some copper never seize on the threads and where the bolt rides the fork with a ball. Kept a jack waiting under the lower control arm, and with the upper ball joint castle nut backed off 3/16" I applied slow pressure on the tools bolt, nothing extreme. One light rap up underneath on the tool where it contacts the ball joint taper head and she popped. No cursing required. It looks like it didn't even damage the boots. The tie rods were childs play with this thing. It has a relief cut into it where it forks under the joint, and it really can get in to a tight space. Unlike most china tools in the past, this one looks to be of a very good quailty.
But I still wouldn't beat on it too much, lol!
Smart move to tape the shoes - I always forget to cover them.
-- Edited by gparis7 on Wednesday 16th of June 2010 06:42:21 AM
All the joints were removed with this tool. The bottom ones took the most effort, and I could start to see the bolt end or the tool just beging to bend. A good smack on the pivot above the taper and they came loose. I think this tool is likely a forging or its very ductle. It returned to straight when loosened off.
I've never had it all come apart without some big effort on at least one joint.
Cheers, Mark.