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| Ball joint splitters https://ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=92606 |
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| Author: | deluxe67 [ Wed May 11, 2016 4:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Ball joint splitters |
What tool do people use to split ball joints. I've decided after much frigging around today it's the device rather than the operator that is the problem. I used to have a wedge type that you could tap in then tighten the bolt to do the work. The one I'm trying to use has no wedge and can't see how it can work. Frustrated, wanted the engine out today bugger it. Pictures would be great.. I have read somewhere it's possible to remove the engine without splitting the joints. "Lift the engine, push it sideways then lever the pot joint out of the diff housing". Anyone use that method? Thanks Mikal |
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| Author: | Hobson [ Wed May 11, 2016 4:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ball joint splitters |
B.F.H. on the side of the joint. |
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| Author: | 1071 S [ Wed May 11, 2016 5:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ball joint splitters |
deluxe67 wrote: What tool do people use to split ball joints. I've decided after much frigging around today it's the device rather than the operator that is the problem. I used to have a wedge type that you could tap in then tighten the bolt to do the work. ......................... I have read somewhere it's possible to remove the engine without splitting the joints. "Lift the engine, push it sideways then lever the pot joint out of the diff housing". Anyone use that method? The one you had sounds like the usual "scissor" type. Not necessarily Mini special... I bought mine from a local motor part shop and don't think I paid more than $30... However, yes, you can slide the drive shafts out by moving the engine from side to side as you lift...... Cheers, Ian |
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| Author: | phillb [ Thu May 12, 2016 9:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ball joint splitters |
I have one that looks similar to this.  Seems to work well. I got mine from a Mini parts supplier, ...although they are pretty universal some styles may fit a mini better than others. Worth getting a decent one, some of the cheap ones will be poor quality. |
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| Author: | Bubbacluby [ Thu May 12, 2016 11:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ball joint splitters |
Yep I use the one Phill uses Heaps better than the wedged fork you belt with a hammer |
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| Author: | Tim I [ Thu May 12, 2016 11:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ball joint splitters |
While for years I have used the two BFH method which gives a level of satisfaction that is hard to describe, due to the limited space to take a good swing under a Mini guard, I also have one very similar to phillb's picture. My advice is to get a reasonable quality one, as it will tend to be thinner where it slides between the ball joint rubber seal and the suspension or steering arm and usually a little less 'bulky' making it easier to get in where it needs to be. Mini stuff is quite a bit smaller that what is generally found on full size cars, so many of the ball joint splitters are too wide in the jaw. Also, as soon as I got it I pulled it apart and greased the pivot pin, bolt thread and where the bolt rides on the arm with a good quality grease. I can tell you first hand that the cheap bulky ones with wide jaws, when used on Mini tie rod ends for instance, are very hard to load evenly and because of the cheap material (which is why they need to be bulkier) break easy! I also have two of the 'pickle fork' style that are hammered in to the joint part-line... one that is too wide for mini joints. I don't tend to use these much as they generally wreck the rubber seal boots. My method with the lever press type is to undo the nut a few turns, fit the ball joint press and position it as good as possible before tightening it up until I get a bit nervous, then another couple of turns. If it hasn't let go, then I usually go do something else for a while, edging it up another quarter or half turn as I wander past from time to time. At some stage it will give up  Sometimes I leave it overnight and find it done by morning. They are not all that stubborn though
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| Author: | gtogreen1969 [ Fri May 13, 2016 12:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ball joint splitters |
This style is crap. They slip off easily as the fork end doesn't go on all the way. |
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| Author: | deluxe67 [ Fri May 13, 2016 12:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ball joint splitters |
gotogreen, That is exactly the device I tried and couldn't see how it could possibly work. Took to it with an angle grinder (several times) and clamped it in place with a G clamp. Worked! The device I used to have was chamfered (wedged) and worked fine.. Thanks Michael |
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| Author: | gtogreen1969 [ Fri May 13, 2016 12:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ball joint splitters |
I bought one as i had a balljoint that would pop with my forks or hammers. I got it to work eventually and said to myself that it would go in the bin. I still have it and i am still swearing at it everytime it comes out of the tool box. |
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