dallison28

I am in the middle of the cv boot job and i need the tool to remove the ball joints.

I thought i had the right part from napa, but it is way too small. I went to autozone and they didn't have anything.


Anyone have a good part number for a good cheap joint puller?

sjfehr

Did you ask autozone about the tool loaner program? Advance auto parts has some nice loaner tools, too. There's a little of everything in those kits, and they're pretty good quality, too. No reason to buy anything for a one-off project like this.

dallison28

autozone didn't seem to have anything, but i will still check advanced auto, they usually pull through for me

insite

i usually just use a pickle fork. make sure it's small enough that it won't damage the dust boot.

jjanari

that's odd. I used a ball joint seperator from NAPA (I got it 2 weeks ago) and it worked. the tool itself is small...are you sure you have it seated correctly? i know it took me a few tries to get it seated properly and I, like you, wondered whether it was tool small. in any event, the joints seperated w/little problem once I got the tool seated correctly (and was very careful not to let the tool's jaws tear the boot). I don't have the part # of the NAPA tool, but could try and find it. Like insite mentioned, you can use a pickle fork, but i would prefer the seperator tool.

jjanari

also, did you look at this DIY link on CV boot change? the tool he uses looks very similar to the one I used, only the color is different.

http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site%203...f%20Axles.html

-jimmy

dallison28

well, i got the joints seperated on the upper part of the suspension. The ones that are located on the inside of the brake rotor are a bitch to get loose.


It seems like the bottom forks aren't wide enough to get deep in there to allow the top arm to really get a good grip.


On the passenger side i think i bent the bolt on the ball joint, maybe it moved and looks like it is bent.

dallison28

i ground the mouth of the puller from 3/4" to almost 1" and made it a little hinner. I will seee what happens when i go home and try it

dallison28

this mod actually helped to get the drivers side off in no time at all.

BUT after removing the right side, I bent the threads on the ball joint........


I am assuming that i need to replace the entire control arm.

dallison28

anyone have a spare control arm??? there are a couple on fleabay for 120

dallison28

i don't think this is repairable...

99firehawk

you should not use a pickle fork on anycar with aluminum suspension. Always make sure you use the proper tool.

dallison28

i had used a napa joiont seperator, and before modifying it, i didn't have it attached properly.

When i was cranking down on it to push the joint down, it bent instead of popping out.

lesson learned.

dallison28

no go on replacing the ball joint. I ordered a used contol arm from dc automotive in NC.

I won't be making this mistake again....