Splitting a Ball Joint Video

[grober]

Came across the link to video on how to split a suspension ball joint. Not foolproof but there's a bit of explanatory text plus a short video. This is a good example of a picture/video that's worth a 1000 words. Splitting an auto ball joint taper Go to step one to see the video.

 

[w124coupe]

Came across the link to video on how to split a suspension ball joint. Not foolproof but there's a bit of explanatory text plus a short video. This is a good example of a picture/video that's worth a 1000 words. Splitting an auto ball joint taper Go to step one to see the video.

I was taught a variation - a large lump hammer/sledge hammer held against one side and a smaller (but still large) ball pein to hit the other. Not failed yet (I don't own a "splitter").

The idea is to send a shockwave through the outer part of the joint and therefore make it move away from the ball shaft, cracking the corrosion etc holding the joint. Usually 4 or 5 whacks are enough. Certainly worked for all the joints I have needed to split yet on my 1996 W124 320CE.

Splitters that press on the end of the shaft actually make the joint tighter by "fattening" the balljoint (assuming its stuck enough to need a lot of force).

The ones that "fork" into the joint make more sense but are deadly to the joint rubbers (assuming you want to re-use it!).

 

[lynall]

Ive always used just one hammer on the side and this has worked on everything i have ever tried it on even the trucks i work on.

Thats a proper hammer a 3lb ball and pein job.

Lad at work having difficulty doing drag link on 7.5 tonner had been hitting it for ages i went up started engine steering on full lock to load up the joint, he tapped the side of drop arm and the joint just fell out he was very impressed



Lynall