Ball Joints Remove
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Ball Joints Remove
I have a "pickle fork" for removing ball joints but my question is "Will using the pickle fork ruin the ball joint so it can't be reused"
I have always used this tool for ball joints that I intend to replace but this time I need to just remove a ball joint so I can replace a CV boot and want to re-use the same ball joint. Can this be done or not?
The relation to Corvettes is I need to do this on my wife's Audi so I can get back to playing with the Corvette.
Thanks,
Kurt
I have always used this tool for ball joints that I intend to replace but this time I need to just remove a ball joint so I can replace a CV boot and want to re-use the same ball joint. Can this be done or not?
The relation to Corvettes is I need to do this on my wife's Audi so I can get back to playing with the Corvette.
Thanks,
Kurt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 0
From: Ridgecrest CA
Chances are very good that the pickle fork will ruin the balljoint. Most auto places (think shucks/kragen/CSK/NAPA/etc) will have a tool you can buy that grabs the a-arm and presses the balljoint out from the bolt side.
They work great! They are much easier to use than the picklefork and dramatically less likely to damage the balljoint.
They work great! They are much easier to use than the picklefork and dramatically less likely to damage the balljoint.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Berserker 78,
Thank you for the reply.
Can you approximate the cost since I will likely only use the tool once?
Is it hand powered or air powered? I do not have an air compressor.
Thanks,
Kurt
Thank you for the reply.
Can you approximate the cost since I will likely only use the tool once?
Is it hand powered or air powered? I do not have an air compressor.
Thanks,
Kurt
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Naperville IL
most ball joint seperators are hand-powered, but I still like to use an impact gun on them because it's easier. I know pickleforks will wreck the dust boots on balljoints, but do they actually destroy the joint as well? You'd still end up replacing all the boots with a picklefork, but they're still cheaper then the whole joint.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I have the world's greatest gadget, bought it a few years ago at Harbor Freight (but I can't find it in their online catalog). It's an "H" shaped device with the crossbar as a pivot point. The end of one leg is in a fork shape, the same end of the other leg has a bit of a hook shape. At the opposite end is a bolt. Slide the "fork" in where you would put a pickle fork. Set the "hook" over the joint stud. Tighten bolt. Everything happily pops apart.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Mine looks EXACTLY like the one on the left, except that the whole thing is flat black. I hammered away on one upper ball joint with a pickle fork for about 30 minutes, and it still didn't move. That beastie did both uppers in about 5.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Most auto parts stores should have them ... and Autozone, etc
will let you borrow them.
I have also used a 2-jaw gear puller to push the tapered stud out.
Be careful of the spring ... if the joint is holding it in.
Take a look around, too. Advance Auto parts will often have the
entire rebuilt axle shaft assembly for $49 ... not too much more than
the price of an OEM boot.
Good Luck
will let you borrow them.
I have also used a 2-jaw gear puller to push the tapered stud out.
Be careful of the spring ... if the joint is holding it in.
Take a look around, too. Advance Auto parts will often have the
entire rebuilt axle shaft assembly for $49 ... not too much more than
the price of an OEM boot.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
NH Vette,
I assume they will only le tyou borrow the tool if you purchased the part for the job from them, is that correct.
I ordered the boot from NAPA because I was quoted $400 for an entire axle, so I am trying the boot first. No noise from the joint so it is hopefully still good. Does NAPA loan tools or just AutoZone?
Sorry for all the questions, just always did this type of thing with a pickle fork because I didn't care about destroying the ball joint since I was replacing it, but this time I want to reuse the same one.
Kurt
I assume they will only le tyou borrow the tool if you purchased the part for the job from them, is that correct.
I ordered the boot from NAPA because I was quoted $400 for an entire axle, so I am trying the boot first. No noise from the joint so it is hopefully still good. Does NAPA loan tools or just AutoZone?
Sorry for all the questions, just always did this type of thing with a pickle fork because I didn't care about destroying the ball joint since I was replacing it, but this time I want to reuse the same one.
Kurt
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Originally Posted by ksbunting
NH Vette,
I assume they will only le tyou borrow the tool if you purchased the part for the job from them, is that correct.
I ordered the boot from NAPA because I was quoted $400 for an entire axle, so I am trying the boot first. No noise from the joint so it is hopefully still good. Does NAPA loan tools or just AutoZone?
Sorry for all the questions, just always did this type of thing with a pickle fork because I didn't care about destroying the ball joint since I was replacing it, but this time I want to reuse the same one.
Kurt
I assume they will only le tyou borrow the tool if you purchased the part for the job from them, is that correct.
I ordered the boot from NAPA because I was quoted $400 for an entire axle, so I am trying the boot first. No noise from the joint so it is hopefully still good. Does NAPA loan tools or just AutoZone?
Sorry for all the questions, just always did this type of thing with a pickle fork because I didn't care about destroying the ball joint since I was replacing it, but this time I want to reuse the same one.
Kurt
No purchase neccessary at autozone.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Originally Posted by ksbunting
wcsinx,
Where did you find those tools? (Auto store, online, etc?)
Where they expensive?
Kurt
Where did you find those tools? (Auto store, online, etc?)
Where they expensive?
Kurt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by wcsinx
just a deposit 
since it saves money over having the job done for me .. .and it is right
there when I need it again. That said, I've been thinking about buying
some of these ball joint and tie-rod separaters. I just pulled apart
the newly rebuilt front suspension on my vette, and the ball joint
taper came out under the weight of the spring ... sweet. I used some
anti-seize compound when assembled.
Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Originally Posted by NHvette
I always invest in a tool purchase,
since it saves money over having the job done for me .. .and it is right
there when I need it again.
since it saves money over having the job done for me .. .and it is right
there when I need it again.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Just use a big hammer and hammer the knuckle where the ball joint goes through. A couple good wacks and it will pop off. Just don't take the nut all the way off so when it pops nothing comes flying at you. You won't ruin the ball joint or the boot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by Van Steel
Just use a big hammer and hammer the knuckle where the ball joint goes through. A couple good wacks and it will pop off. Just don't take the nut all the way off so when it pops nothing comes flying at you. You won't ruin the ball joint or the boot.