ball joint separator

Technical Area Steering & Suspension
2

Can anyone recommend a ball joint separator tool which actually fits an MX-5 front lower wishbone ball joint?

I tried Halfords fork type (fork is too narrow to go around the tapered pin) and Halfords cup type (looked ideal but again turned out to be too small for the job).

Before I throw good money after bad, can anyone recommend one that works?  (Especially if it’s one I can go out and buy tomorrow!)

3

I always use a hammer, they just need shocking off the taper, ball joint tools usually destroy the rubber.  Hit at 90 degrees to the direction you want the ball joint to move.

4

this is the best way :slight_smile: i use a 4lb club hammer just for the job.

 

5

Thanks, but I’ve spent much of my afternoon trying that.  I guess I don’t have the knack. 

Don’t care about the seal as I have a new ball joint waiting to go on.

 

PS  What am I doing wrong?  Do you have the joint detached from the lower wishbone so you can turn the hub and get a good swing at it, or do you leave it attached to stop it moving, but if so then where exactly do you smack it with the BFH?

6

you need to use a fairly heavyweight hammer ( its all about a heavy hammer)… i usually have the wheelturned so i can whack it from the front bumper end

7

Leave everything attached but remove the split pin and castellated hut from the lower ball joint and remove the wheel (I do it on a ramp, but it is doable on axle stands).  Turn the wheel to full lock to get a good view and hit the upright (or as Mazda call it the ‘knuckle’), swinging the hammer horizontally, directly below where you have just removed the nut from, i.e. just below the exposed thread.  Hit it hard and don’t miss.  If it doesn’t go after you’ve hit it properly once, turn to the other lock and hit it from the other side.

 

 

 

1 Like
8

Leave everything attached but remove the split pin and castellated hut from the lower ball joint and remove the wheel (I do it on a ramp, but it is doable on axle stands).  Turn the wheel to full lock to get a good view and hit the upright (or as Mazda call it the ‘knuckle’), swinging the hammer horizontally, directly below where you have just removed the nut from, i.e. just below the exposed thread.  Hit it hard and don’t miss.  If it doesn’t go after you’ve hit it properly once, turn to the other lock and hit it from the other side.

 

 

 

9

Thanks.  I’ll give it a try.

Probably in the morning, as the neighbours might not appreciate it now.

If that doesn’t do it, I’ll put it all back together and see if a garage with a proper lift can give it a smack for me. :slight_smile:

10

Sorted.  Just in case hammering wasn’t going to work with the car on axle stands, I bought a decent scissor-type separator.  Couldn’t believe the force the joint held before it went with a mighty bang.

Thanks for the advice.

11

Hi Martin and All,

I’ve got exactly the same issue with my top wishbone to hub assembly balljoint and I’ve been bashing it all day to no avail.  Can I ask what scissor-type separator you used?  Is it the one Halfords sells for £23?

Ken

12

 I have never had the knack with a hammer but the scissor job alwaydsworks for me.

13

Hi Ken.  No, I thought the Halfords one looked a bit small.  I went to a small independent motor factors and asked for advice and got a Franklin TA330 pic here

Nothing special about it, but it’s a more substantial item than the Halfords offering.

14

 Brilliant - I’m on the hunt tomorrow!    Many thanks Martin Big Smile

Ken

15

 It would be a good idea to put another hammer against the opposite side to were you are hitting so the shock stays in the arm you are trying to get the ball joint from works for me

Alan

16

 

If you’ve actually tried this on an MX-5 lower arm ball joint, I’d like to see where you placed the second hammer.

Here’s the bit you want to hit:

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And here’s the other side: