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 Post subject: Ball joint splitters
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2016 4:56 pm 
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998cc
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Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:36 pm
Posts: 611
Location: Bentleigh, Melbourne
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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67 Deluxe
Dry suspension
1293cc, 11:1 comp, RE 282 camshaft, 45 Weber, extractors etc
4 synchro close ratio gbox
Cooper S brakes, no booster
Stealth box, as Doc says "goes harder and idles!"
RH tank cos I needed it crossing the Nullarbor etc..


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 Post subject: Re: Ball joint splitters
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2016 4:59 pm 
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998cc
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Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 3:21 pm
Posts: 979
Location: St. George Area, New South Wales
B.F.H. on the side of the joint.

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http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=86675


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 Post subject: Re: Ball joint splitters
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2016 5:33 pm 
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998cc
998cc

Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:33 pm
Posts: 1196
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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 Post subject: Re: Ball joint splitters
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 9:26 pm 
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1275cc
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Joined: Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:24 am
Posts: 2276
Location: Wollongong
I have one that looks similar to this.

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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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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)


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 Post subject: Re: Ball joint splitters
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 11:20 pm 
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1275cc
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Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:34 pm
Posts: 3415
Location: Cowra
Yep I use the one Phill uses

Heaps better than the wedged fork you belt with a hammer

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 Post subject: Re: Ball joint splitters
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 11:43 pm 
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Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:30 pm
Posts: 299
Location: Adelaide
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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 Post subject: Re: Ball joint splitters
PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 12:02 am 
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1275cc
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Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 3:07 pm
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This style is crap. They slip off easily as the fork end doesn't go on all the way.

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 Post subject: Re: Ball joint splitters
PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 12:19 am 
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998cc
998cc

Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:36 pm
Posts: 611
Location: Bentleigh, Melbourne
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

_________________
67 Deluxe
Dry suspension
1293cc, 11:1 comp, RE 282 camshaft, 45 Weber, extractors etc
4 synchro close ratio gbox
Cooper S brakes, no booster
Stealth box, as Doc says "goes harder and idles!"
RH tank cos I needed it crossing the Nullarbor etc..


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 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Ball joint splitters
PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 12:34 am 
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1275cc
1275cc
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Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 3:07 pm
Posts: 5123
Location: The Internet
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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