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How to remove ball joints/spindles????

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Kafer Lover Officially Full-On Dubber

370 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#636923
I have been trying to remove the spindles from my ball joint front beam. The top one comes out no problem, but the bottom one just wont shift.
I've tried using the ball joint separator, but even though I bash it in there, it doesnt move at all.
Any advice?

And I suppose that the rubbers on the balljoints are naturally destroyed by the ball joint tool, and then the joints cannot be re-used? Or am I doing something wrong?

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#636930
just hit the stub axle with a FB hammer/mallet where the balljoint goes into it (not the thread or balljoint)👍

after about 5 to 10 big hits (full swing) it will come out.


matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#636932
The hits described above will work, they are meant to deform the taper where the shaft of the b/j goes thru the stub axle. Yes using a fork type tool will destroy the boots, and may not remove the joint. The easy way that doesn't hurt anything is a very strong press.( about 20 tonne should do it)
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#636938
make sure its F B hammer as well and belt on the side not the thread end
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

Kafer Lover Officially Full-On Dubber

370 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#636983
ok, excuse my ignorance, but what is an F B Hammer?

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#636985
F#ck'n Big Hammer😀
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

mactaylor Custom Title Time!

1,005 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#636987
its a very technical term often used by harley mechanics!
EVERLAST CONCRETE TANKS
1800 552 123

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#637068
Hi

I use a wind-up ball joint breaker, it has never hurt any of my ball joint boots and works on VW tie rods and ball joints fine. You can get them at most tool places.

Steve

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#637070
Same here, had a home made one, with some 12mm plate steel, and a 21 mm bolt.....

The wind up one works great and doesn't damage anything and takes away all teh frsutration!!!
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#637073
Hi

With mine you wind it up, expecting things to fly around the garage but it just goes bang and falls on the floor, much safer than hitting things with knockometers.

Steve

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#637074
Its interesting to watch 12mm plate flex sometimes........ 🙂
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#637079
... you can get new BJ boots at Repco, too
Pay your debts, CxxT

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#637086
if you need a Ball joint boot then is almost certain that you will need a new joint as well
after its had all the dirt n grit getting in there and wearing it out probally only a few bucks different as well
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

Kafer Lover Officially Full-On Dubber

370 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#637118
thanks all for the advice.
now I dont feel like such an F B idiot!

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#637170
1303Steve wrote:Hi

With mine you wind it up, expecting things to fly around the garage but it just goes bang and falls on the floor, much safer than hitting things with knockometers.

Steve
This is the best way indeed. I need another one but local tool shop had no F idea !?
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Adsman Officially Full-On Dubber

393 posts · joined Jan 2007 ·

#637178
thats the one to use...(pic above) dont be surprised if it still takes a knock as well, depending on rust etc.
This separator just saves the need for two FB Hammers.😂

Also to stop the ball joint flying out leave the nut on a couple of threads.
cheers
What my garage isn't messy........Well chaos is a form of order isn't it?

andrewmurphy Officially Full-On Dubber

307 posts · joined Jul 2005 ·

#682150
I was going to ask whether or not you can buy just the ball joint boots, but i thought i would do a search on the forums. i found this thread. thanks everyone for just posting questions and answers so that we can all benefit from the experience of each other.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#682153
Kafer Lover wrote:I have been trying to remove the spindles from my ball joint front beam. The top one comes out no problem, but the bottom one just wont shift.
I've tried using the ball joint separator, but even though I bash it in there, it doesnt move at all.
Any advice?

And I suppose that the rubbers on the balljoints are naturally destroyed by the ball joint tool, and then the joints cannot be re-used? Or am I doing something wrong?
it took a 50 tonne press to take My original ball joints out
a 20 tonne press wouldn't budge them...

I had to replace all My ball joint and tie rod end boots
as they all split... it seems when the shaft turns it also takes the boot with it resulting in torn open boots..

and VW54 They are all New items made in Switzerland..
I got replacement boots from Repco...

Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

andrewmurphy Officially Full-On Dubber

307 posts · joined Jul 2005 ·

#682175
hey 68AutoBug, i have phoned Repco and there is two sizes they sell. do you know what size you bought?
Andrew