Ball joint removal

Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:27 am

Can anyone advise on how to get the upper ball stud split ring seat unscrewed? It looks like it needs a special socket. Also I have some big snap rings on the other side. They are too heavy duty for my snap ring pliers. Do I just need more hard core pliers ? Pics attached for reference. Thanks.

babywag · Post by **babywag** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:42 am

Yes you need a special spanner socket. Should be able to buy one @ local auto parts store.
Far as the snap ring, it's probably stuck on there good, beat on it w/ screwdriver or punch and try to spin it to break it free.

Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:54 am

thanks! do you know what size the socket is? also, is it normal to have the 2 different set ups?

Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 11:07 am

I figured out why I have the 2 set ups. Nobody seems to carry the socket though. They have them for axle nuts but not small enough for a ball joint.

SJTD · Post by **SJTD** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 1:02 pm

Got a spare socket and a cutoff wheel? Dunno if a hack saw blade would hold up.

Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 1:16 pm

Yeah I'm going to try to make one out of a spare 3/4 socket

Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 1:54 pm

Okay that didn't work

Post by **Stuka** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 2:39 pm

Its a standard D44 ball joint tool. I bought mine at Napa I think. But amazon and such also have them.

Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 3:54 pm

Wow I went to napa's website and it popped right up. I went to 3 independent places today and none of them had one or even knew what I was taking about at first. Thanks for the help!

KJ Ryu · Post by **KJ Ryu** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 5:47 pm

I got mine from an old independent store, locally. None of the chain stores carry them, apparently.

tedlovesjeeps71 · Post by **tedlovesjeeps71** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:23 pm

Don't make your own, it's a waste of time. (Ask me how I know). I'd recommend buying a quality one since those castleated adjusters can put up a fight sometimes.
Also, male sure you follow the proper torque sequence and rating while installing the new ones.

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Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 4:53 am

I got the spanner from Amazon and it worked great! I have a new problem: I bought what I think is a pretty standard ball joint press. Problem is that it doesn't quite fit into the top joint once I add the top and bottom plates and the cup that goes around the bottom of the joint. The cup is about 1.75 inches tall. Do I need to find a shorter one or is the press too small?

Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 4:53 am

I got the spanner from Amazon and it worked great! I have a new problem: I bought what I think is a pretty standard ball joint press. Problem is that it doesn't quite fit into the top joint once I add the top and bottom plates and the cup that goes around the bottom of the joint. The cup is about 1.75 inches tall. Do I need to find a shorter one or is the press too small?

tedlovesjeeps71 · Post by **tedlovesjeeps71** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 8:18 am

Hendo2.5 wrote:I got the spanner from Amazon and it worked great! I have a new problem: I bought what I think is a pretty standard ball joint press. Problem is that it doesn't quite fit into the top joint once I add the top and bottom plates and the cup that goes around the bottom of the joint. The cup is about 1.75 inches tall. Do I need to find a shorter one or is the press too small?

Pics will help.
I do ball joints on vehicles several times a month, sometimes multiple in a week. I Still(!) Wrestle with finding the right combinations of cups for the press. Lol.

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Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 9:03 am

Here are some pics. You can see that the top plate won't fit on the press

tedlovesjeeps71 · Post by **tedlovesjeeps71** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:07 pm

You're trying to press the ball joint out, right?
Do the bottom first.

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Hendo2.5 · Post by **Hendo2.5** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 5:09 pm

That won't solve the problem of the press not fitting. Also
There isint enough room do do the bottom first.

tedlovesjeeps71 · Post by **tedlovesjeeps71** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 9:44 pm

To be honest, I use a stout ball peen hammer to knock out the lower. Then set my press up similar to this to press out the upper.

SJTD · Post by **SJTD** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 9:48 pm

Don't suppose you have a shorter sleeve to get it started? Doesn't look like you can get it started without the sleeve.

HeavyMetalThunder_81 · Sun Mar 04, 2018 4:57 am

tedlovesjeeps71 wrote:To be honest, I use a stout ball peen hammer to knock out the lower. Then set my press up similar to this to press out the upper.

That's exactly how I do mine, except with my air hammer on the lower

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