ball joint seperation

[cadetchris]

having decided to start prep for the impending mot, i need to replace one of the rubber cups on the end of the track rod. how do i separate the ball joint from the kingpin without the use of a separator thingy?

[aupickup]

a seperater is the best tool, but you can try undoing the nut and sharply hitting the nut with a hammer, a hard sharp knock not tiny taps

[bmcecosse]

It can be done by holding a good long lever between the track rod and the track rod end - and then hitting the sides of the ball joint with two good hammers simultaneously. Obviously - unless you have 3 arms this is tricky without a willing assistant......... A ball joint splitter - the scissor/screw type - is an excellent investment for your tool box.
And -sorry Dennis - but I completely disagree - DO NOT hit the nut or the joint thread - you will only wreck it!

[cadetchris]

ah, well it looks like a trip to halfords this afternoon

[bmcecosse]

The two hammer trick does work - just keep your thumbs out of the way! But I struggled for years with Minis (many ball joints) using hammers etc - and when I finally invested in a proper splitter - I realised just how much time/pain/damage I had wasted over the years.........

[LordAnthony]

Do get the scissor type. I wouldn't recommend the splitter that's shaped like a tuning fork as it's a bit destructive.

[mike.perry]

The only way to build up a decent toolkit is to go out and buy tools as you need them.
Don't bother with the splitter with the bolt on top which winds down on the nut, they just slip out of position. Get the one with a large bolt which pushes one end of the lever up so that the other end goes down and forces the ball joint apart.
I have successfully completed the task on a '48 Series MM this afternoon and will have to do it again when I get a new steering rack gaiter

[bmcecosse]

This is the one you need[frame][/frame]

[charlie_morris_minor]

I jacked the car up and putting one support under the car i took the nut off the track rod end then lowered the track rod end on to another axle stand so the axle stand is pushing up against the track rod but the car is supported on the other axle stand...

boil a kettle of water and poor it over the steering arm.. then hit the steering arm down.. it all came apart on the second hit for me..

[bmcecosse]

" boil a kettle of water " - I thought you were going to say - have a nice cup of tea while waiting for the joint to pop!

Ingenious though - 10/10 !

[charlie_morris_minor]

" boil a kettle of water " - I thought you were going to say - have a nice cup of tea while waiting for the joint to pop!

I have an intravenus coffee drip on the go at all times...

Ingenious though - 10/10 !

thank you

[mike.perry]

This is the one you need[frame][/frame]

Yes that's the one, better than my description and I could not be bothered to go out and take a photo.

[bmcecosse]

Me neither - I pinched it from Minispares site!

[Declan_Burns]

Roy,
What's the part no.?
Regards
Declan

[bmcecosse]

Dunno Declan - just search Minispares website for 'ball joint splitter'